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Editorial
September 14, 1829
Phenix Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
An editorial from Alexandria, September 14, 1829, argues that the private character, habits, and moral principles of public officials should be seriously considered when assessing their qualifications for office, as it impacts the government's reputation and national standing abroad.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
ALEXANDRIA,
MONDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 14. 1829.
We do hold that private character should be taken into the account when we estimate the pretensions and qualifications of our public men. Not that we wish to see domestic transactions and bedside conversations dragged before the public by the press, and our newspapers made the vehicles of calumny and scandal: But we mean, that soberly and seriously we should reflect upon the known habits, passions and principles of those who are seeking office, or whose friends are desirous of their elevation. What adds more to the standing of a Government, than the unsullied reputation of those who administer its concerns? And, on the other hand, what debases a nation more in the eyes of those abroad, than the known looseness of morals which characterizes those who are at its head? Statesmen should, at least, be somewhat chaste in their lives, and virtuous in their actions. They should be dignified and decorous-their sense of honor should be nice-they should be punctilious on matters which might lessen them in the estimation of the People, who are apt to discover and comment upon peccadilloes in them which they would pass over in other men.
MONDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 14. 1829.
We do hold that private character should be taken into the account when we estimate the pretensions and qualifications of our public men. Not that we wish to see domestic transactions and bedside conversations dragged before the public by the press, and our newspapers made the vehicles of calumny and scandal: But we mean, that soberly and seriously we should reflect upon the known habits, passions and principles of those who are seeking office, or whose friends are desirous of their elevation. What adds more to the standing of a Government, than the unsullied reputation of those who administer its concerns? And, on the other hand, what debases a nation more in the eyes of those abroad, than the known looseness of morals which characterizes those who are at its head? Statesmen should, at least, be somewhat chaste in their lives, and virtuous in their actions. They should be dignified and decorous-their sense of honor should be nice-they should be punctilious on matters which might lessen them in the estimation of the People, who are apt to discover and comment upon peccadilloes in them which they would pass over in other men.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Private Character
Public Officials
Moral Standards
Government Reputation
Statesmen Virtue
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Importance Of Private Character In Public Officials
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Moral Standards In Statesmen
Key Arguments
Private Character Should Be Considered In Evaluating Public Men's Qualifications
Avoid Dragging Domestic Affairs Into Public Scandal Via Press
Reflect Seriously On Habits, Passions, And Principles Of Office Seekers
Unsullied Reputation Elevates Government's Standing
Loose Morals In Leaders Debase The Nation Abroad
Statesmen Should Be Chaste, Virtuous, Dignified, And Punctilious