As a historian by training, I have always admired William Livingston, elected as New Jersey’s first governor in 1776, and known my family’s connection to him. Although I have not often dwelled on his time in office or appreciated his wisdom, I recently came across words of Livingston that I would have been proud to offer in a speech during my own governorship. “Let us make war on ignorance and barbarity of manners,” he wrote. “Let us invite the arts and sciences to reside amongst us. Let us encourage everything which tends to exalt and embellish our characters. And in fire, let the love of our country be manifested by that which is the only true manifestation of it, a patriotic soul and a public spirit.”
