What Would Figures of "the Revolution" Say About Our World and Our Times??

An interesting question came to mind in response to the recollection of an event of the U.S. bicentennial, when a sealed container was put into a space-capsule with a collection of items from the time of the 1976. What would figures of "the Revolution"; figures that lived from the late 18th century to the early 20th century; say about our current world?

What they could say about the technological changes would be of little value. That happens quite often, for example when someone from the extreme third world- like rural Africa- makes it to a United States city.

But what would people of goodwill like Madison, Jefferson, Rousseau, Kant and Dewey say about the developments in Law, Philosophy and Religion?? What would political leaders like John Adams or Daniel Webster say that would be honest- perhaps taken as constructive or not- about what it was like to lead and live in times when people were more independent?? What would they see from the structure of these times?? What changes could they look at with Fresh eyes and say were beneficial?? What changes would they completely oppose and refuse, come what may??

For example, how would John Adams or Daniel Webster view the turmoil after the industrial revolution which saw: 1) the stock market crash and collapse of financial systems, (which began the great depression); and 2) from these collapses the subsequent reforms and regulation that brought tremendous stability to the structure of daily economic life of the citizens of the United States- as depicted in Milton Crane's great 3 volume book 'The Roosevelt Era'?

In another example, what Henry James would say about the development of literature would be just as important as what his brother William James would say about the development of Philosophy.

These are interesting and important questions.

Two of the questions that would be presented to a William James or John Dewey, although framed incorrectly, would be:

1) Which moralist theory is closer to correct, Kant or Fitzgerald("green light" of the Great Gatsby)? (an old philosophy joke- repeat the question three times quickly)

2) Which theory of freedom is preferable, Kant's or Jean Luc Nancy's?