The Swainsboro Kiwanis Club held its weekly meeting, Tuesday night, November 10, at 7 p.m. at The New China Restaurant in Swainsboro. With President Dess Smith III presiding, there were 23 members in attendance, including five “Zoomers”.
The club’s guests for the evening were Dr. Anthony Di Lorenzo, EGSC history professor; Rosa Amerson, Presbyterian Apartments administrator; and Metter Kiwanian Interclubbers Marvin and Marilyn Lopez. A key lime cake, donated by Cayla Page and baked by Petite Garrett, brought $47 and was won by Rosa Amerson. A Domino's pizza, donated by Domino's Pizza, was won by Wanda Ellis.
The program for the evening was hosted by Carlos Cunya. Garrett filled in for Cunya since he was “Zooming” and introduced Dr. Anthony Di Lorenzo, assistant professor of history at EGSC, who was also “Zooming” his program to club members in attendance. Dr. Lorenzo presented a program on political parties and presidential elections in early America. The Founding Fathers, notably the first three presidents, George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson; were not fond of political parties. They decried the need for parties because it promoted division and political tension and conflict. They also recognized the necessity of their existence to promote issues. Some of the issues associated with division included the formation of a national bank, the development of a national military, the result of having a strong national government versus state's rights, as well as the French revolution.
It is notable that Jefferson co-founded the first political party, the democratic-republican party, with James Madison, and lost the election to be the second president to John Adams by three electoral votes. Although encouraged by his followers to dispute the election, Jefferson decided it was better for the country and the process if he did not. He was later elected to serve as president four years later.
Dr. Lorenzo also noted that the founding of partisan newspapers, as part of the political process, led to personal attacks on candidates and usually calls for unity after the election. Lessons learned from this include calls for unity after elections are deeply rooted in the current election process, as is political polarization.
To become a member of the Swainsboro Kiwanis Club, please contact membership chair Jane Durden at 478-494-4113 or e-mail her at hsdurden@bellsouth.net. To obtain additional information about this club and the many community service projects performed, visit the club’s website at http://www.swainsborokiwanis.org or check out the Swainsboro Kiwanis Facebook page.
