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Editorial
February 14, 1797
Virginia Argus
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial from Richmond on February 14 calls for softening political asperity, prioritizing friendship and reason over party bitterness, and viewing humanity as one family to avoid malice and contention.
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RICHMOND:
Tuesday, February 14.
It were well, if instead of the bitterness and
contumely of party contention, men would
learn to cultivate the amiable and endearing
ties of good fellowship. To permit party
passion to pollute the sacred fountain of friendship,
and extend its baleful breath into the
sweet comforts of society is robbing life of half
its fleeting comforts. Is the "path of life
so carpeted with joys," that we need press
cause of discontent into its transitory period?
To soften that asperity which a difference in
political opinion produces in the heart should
be the study of every man, whatever his sentiment,
or whatever his situation. What is the
world but one wide family, on which the common
Parent looks with an eye of equal protection
and impartiality! How absurd, then,
to dash the draught of life, with the nauseous
dregs of jealousy, malice and contention! Let
men consider their fellow men, like themselves
fallible, and not attribute to depravity of heart,
that, which simply construed, is but an error
in judgment. Let them leave personal invective,
for manly argument, and, endeavor
to convince, rather than to irritate each other.
Let reason prescribe bounds to enthusiasm, and
difference in opinion cease to be considered as
proofs of base principles and sinister designs!
[Indep. Gaz.
Tuesday, February 14.
It were well, if instead of the bitterness and
contumely of party contention, men would
learn to cultivate the amiable and endearing
ties of good fellowship. To permit party
passion to pollute the sacred fountain of friendship,
and extend its baleful breath into the
sweet comforts of society is robbing life of half
its fleeting comforts. Is the "path of life
so carpeted with joys," that we need press
cause of discontent into its transitory period?
To soften that asperity which a difference in
political opinion produces in the heart should
be the study of every man, whatever his sentiment,
or whatever his situation. What is the
world but one wide family, on which the common
Parent looks with an eye of equal protection
and impartiality! How absurd, then,
to dash the draught of life, with the nauseous
dregs of jealousy, malice and contention! Let
men consider their fellow men, like themselves
fallible, and not attribute to depravity of heart,
that, which simply construed, is but an error
in judgment. Let them leave personal invective,
for manly argument, and, endeavor
to convince, rather than to irritate each other.
Let reason prescribe bounds to enthusiasm, and
difference in opinion cease to be considered as
proofs of base principles and sinister designs!
[Indep. Gaz.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Party Contention
Good Fellowship
Political Tolerance
Moral Harmony
Societal Comforts
Reason Over Passion
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Promoting Harmony Over Party Bitterness
Stance / Tone
Moral Exhortation For Political Tolerance
Key Arguments
Cultivate Good Fellowship Instead Of Party Contention Bitterness
Political Differences Should Not Pollute Friendships Or Societal Comforts
View The World As One Family Under Equal Protection
Avoid Jealousy, Malice, And Contention In Life
Attribute Differences To Errors In Judgment, Not Depravity
Use Manly Argument To Convince Rather Than Irritate
Let Reason Bound Enthusiasm And Cease Viewing Opinion Differences As Base Principles