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Letter to Editor
April 3, 1809
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
An anonymous letter signed 'SOCRATES' accuses Democrats of spreading lies in the District of Maine by falsely equating gubernatorial candidate Levi Lincoln with the revered Federalist General Benjamin Lincoln to deceive voters. It contrasts the two men and warns against such electoral fraud.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
DOWNRIGHT LYING.
Are not the people who inhabit the District of Maine, men of common sense? Surely the Democrats must believe that two thirds of the voters in this district do not know their right hand from their left, or they would not so grossly, so shamefully impose on the credulous and uninformed. But 'tis a solemn truth, that at this moment the most infamous lies are circulated thro the country--in some instances by men whom we could name--and who know they are deceivers. The grand lie now told in every quarter, is that Levi Lincoln is old General Lincoln, who fought the battles of his country in our last war--and that of course he must be a good man for Governor. No my friends; General Lincoln is now almost eighty years old; is worn out; is grey in the service of his country; is a real Federalist; and a man who despises this flummery of the Democrats and those who make use of it. No, Gen. Lincoln, I say again is an old, spotless Federalist--and a man of exalted worth; and the poor, scoundrel, electioneering paltroons are obliged to steal the name and the virtues of this renowned old patriot, and give them to this Levi Lincoln, in order to make him go down among the people. I can hardly controul my passions when I see such baseness; such profligacy; such open fraud and villiany and theft. Why will the people believe a lie so much more readily than the truth? Of what value are our elections, if such infernal measures are allowed of and practised.
Fellow Citizens--hear me:
General Benjamin Lincoln lives at Hingham; is almost eighty years old; is a patriot; and an abused and insulted FEDERALIST of unspotted fame.
Lieut. Gov. Levi Lincoln, lives in Worcester; is old enough to be much better than he is; is a noisy demagogue; and as rank a jacobin as ever reigned or was guillotined in France.
After this, if the people will believe lies and go blindfold to ruin, the hour is at hand when they will look back, and lament their delusion; when they will cry; but there will be none to help them.
SOCRATES.
Are not the people who inhabit the District of Maine, men of common sense? Surely the Democrats must believe that two thirds of the voters in this district do not know their right hand from their left, or they would not so grossly, so shamefully impose on the credulous and uninformed. But 'tis a solemn truth, that at this moment the most infamous lies are circulated thro the country--in some instances by men whom we could name--and who know they are deceivers. The grand lie now told in every quarter, is that Levi Lincoln is old General Lincoln, who fought the battles of his country in our last war--and that of course he must be a good man for Governor. No my friends; General Lincoln is now almost eighty years old; is worn out; is grey in the service of his country; is a real Federalist; and a man who despises this flummery of the Democrats and those who make use of it. No, Gen. Lincoln, I say again is an old, spotless Federalist--and a man of exalted worth; and the poor, scoundrel, electioneering paltroons are obliged to steal the name and the virtues of this renowned old patriot, and give them to this Levi Lincoln, in order to make him go down among the people. I can hardly controul my passions when I see such baseness; such profligacy; such open fraud and villiany and theft. Why will the people believe a lie so much more readily than the truth? Of what value are our elections, if such infernal measures are allowed of and practised.
Fellow Citizens--hear me:
General Benjamin Lincoln lives at Hingham; is almost eighty years old; is a patriot; and an abused and insulted FEDERALIST of unspotted fame.
Lieut. Gov. Levi Lincoln, lives in Worcester; is old enough to be much better than he is; is a noisy demagogue; and as rank a jacobin as ever reigned or was guillotined in France.
After this, if the people will believe lies and go blindfold to ruin, the hour is at hand when they will look back, and lament their delusion; when they will cry; but there will be none to help them.
SOCRATES.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Political
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Levi Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln
Election Fraud
Democrats
Federalist
District Of Maine
Gubernatorial Candidate
Political Deception
What entities or persons were involved?
Socrates
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Socrates
Main Argument
democrats are deceiving voters by falsely claiming gubernatorial candidate levi lincoln is the heroic general benjamin lincoln, a federalist patriot, to boost his appeal; the letter urges people to recognize the fraud and value truth in elections.
Notable Details
Contrasts General Benjamin Lincoln As An 'Old, Spotless Federalist' Living In Hingham
Describes Levi Lincoln As A 'Noisy Demagogue' And 'Rank Jacobins' Living In Worcester
Accuses Democrats Of 'Infamous Lies' And 'Open Fraud' In The District Of Maine