[059] ‘MTSU On the Record’ defines elements of the Declaration of Independence

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The next edition of the “MTSU On the Record” radio program will dissect the Declaration of Independence.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with John Vile, dean of the University Honors College and prolific author of books on the Founding Fathers, will air from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, and from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2.

“The Declaration of Independence: America’s First Founding Document in U.S. History and Culture” is expected to be released in November by publisher ABC-CLIO. Written entirely by Vile, the reference volume contains more than 200 entries pertaining to the declaration.

Concepts, principles and intellectual influences on the content of the United States’ first truly national statement of purpose are defined and explained. Other entries explain the declaration’s impact on art, music and literature.

Vile said one of the more interesting passages of author Thomas Jefferson’s prose was one which the Continental Congress insisted be deleted from the declaration.

“He was charging the king (Great Britain’s George III) with introducing slavery into the colonies and telling how bad it was,” Vile said. “Then, he was condemning the king and his governors for encouraging the slaves to revolt on the side of the British.” 

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to http://bit.ly/mtsu-otr.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.