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Letter to Editor
February 10, 1774
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A letter to the printer ridiculing 'paper wars' in print media, where writers fail to persuade opponents due to unyielding prejudice and self-conviction, leading to futile exchanges.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
To the PRINTER.
SIR,
I scarce know any Thing so ridiculous as what is called a Paper War, whether publick or private. Each Scribbler is perfectly convinced that he is in the right, and attacks his Antagonist with Arguments which seem unanswerable and irresistible to himself but which, for the same Reason, have no Effect upon his Adversary; as both are so far from weighing the Allegations which make against themselves, that they do not attend enough to them to know their Purport. Thus, each Combatant attacks the very Place which is covered by Prejudice with impenetrable Armour, and is therefore invulnerable; each wearies himself with striking, and each is astonished that his Blows are not felt. "D—n the Blockhead, he is as insensible as a Stone; you may as well beat a Stockfish, or make Passes against a Brick Wall." These Words are exchanged with equal Energy, and equal Dissatisfaction.
I am, Sir, yours, &c.
SIR,
I scarce know any Thing so ridiculous as what is called a Paper War, whether publick or private. Each Scribbler is perfectly convinced that he is in the right, and attacks his Antagonist with Arguments which seem unanswerable and irresistible to himself but which, for the same Reason, have no Effect upon his Adversary; as both are so far from weighing the Allegations which make against themselves, that they do not attend enough to them to know their Purport. Thus, each Combatant attacks the very Place which is covered by Prejudice with impenetrable Armour, and is therefore invulnerable; each wearies himself with striking, and each is astonished that his Blows are not felt. "D—n the Blockhead, he is as insensible as a Stone; you may as well beat a Stockfish, or make Passes against a Brick Wall." These Words are exchanged with equal Energy, and equal Dissatisfaction.
I am, Sir, yours, &c.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satirical
Reflective
Philosophical
What themes does it cover?
Social Issues
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Paper War
Prejudice
Scribblers
Arguments
Public Debate
Futility
What entities or persons were involved?
The Printer
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
The Printer
Main Argument
paper wars, whether public or private, are ridiculous because each participant is blinded by prejudice, rendering arguments ineffective and exchanges futile.
Notable Details
Metaphor Of Prejudice As 'Impenetrable Armour'
Quote: 'D—N The Blockhead, He Is As Insensible As A Stone; You May As Well Beat A Stockfish, Or Make Passes Against A Brick Wall.'