Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Letter to Editor
December 4, 1787
The Daily Advertiser
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A correspondent denounces the Anti-Federalists' use of anonymous hand-bills filled with falsehoods to oppose the U.S. Constitution, comparing it to enemy tactics during the Revolutionary War. In Connecticut, such efforts are futile as most informed people support the Constitution, leaving opponents as a few weak individuals and Shays' allies.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
For the Daily Advertiser.
Nothing, says a correspondent, can equal the meanness of the Anti-Federal junto in America, but the low arts of our enemies during the war. Like them the Anti-Federal men are circulating hand-bills, fraught with sophistry, declamation and falsehoods, to delude the people and excite jealousies. A few days ago a packet was sent from New-York to Connecticut, enclosed and addressed to a very respectable gentleman, with an anonymous letter, requesting him to circulate the hand-bills among the people. The hand-bills contained Anti-federal essays. The gentleman determined at first to commit them to the flames, as they deserved; but reflecting that the people are above the influence of such despicable arts, he sent them into the country. What a poor cause is that which its advocates are ashamed to avow and support, but by the dirty arts that would have disgraced the enemies of liberty, during the struggle for Independence! But such stratagems are useless in Connecticut. Every man has taken his side, and almost every man of information, on the side of the Constitution. On the other side are ranged a few weak people and the friends of Shays.
Nothing, says a correspondent, can equal the meanness of the Anti-Federal junto in America, but the low arts of our enemies during the war. Like them the Anti-Federal men are circulating hand-bills, fraught with sophistry, declamation and falsehoods, to delude the people and excite jealousies. A few days ago a packet was sent from New-York to Connecticut, enclosed and addressed to a very respectable gentleman, with an anonymous letter, requesting him to circulate the hand-bills among the people. The hand-bills contained Anti-federal essays. The gentleman determined at first to commit them to the flames, as they deserved; but reflecting that the people are above the influence of such despicable arts, he sent them into the country. What a poor cause is that which its advocates are ashamed to avow and support, but by the dirty arts that would have disgraced the enemies of liberty, during the struggle for Independence! But such stratagems are useless in Connecticut. Every man has taken his side, and almost every man of information, on the side of the Constitution. On the other side are ranged a few weak people and the friends of Shays.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
Provocative
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Constitutional Rights
What keywords are associated?
Anti Federalists
Constitution
Hand Bills
Connecticut
Shays Rebellion
Ratification
Falsehoods
What entities or persons were involved?
Daily Advertiser
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Daily Advertiser
Main Argument
the anti-federalists employ despicable, anonymous tactics like circulating hand-bills with falsehoods to oppose the constitution, akin to wartime enemies, but these efforts fail in connecticut where informed citizens overwhelmingly support ratification.
Notable Details
Compares Anti Federalists To British Enemies During The Revolutionary War
Packet Sent From New York To Connecticut With Anonymous Letter
Gentleman Initially Considers Burning The Hand Bills But Circulates Them
Opponents Include 'A Few Weak People And The Friends Of Shays'