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Editorial
September 7, 1837
Virginia Free Press
Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
The editorial sarcastically criticizes the U.S. government for providing office-holders, including Congress members, with premium hard currency (specie) while the public suffers from deranged money, portraying this as paternal favoritism that insulates officials from public needs and ensures Executive loyalty.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
A PATERNAL GOVERNMENT.
Whilst the people every where are suffering the evils of a deranged, and in many cases a spurious currency, those in office are provided with hard money, which now commands a premium of ten to twelve per cent. See Secretary Woodbury's letter, giving notice that the members of Congress are to be paid in specie, if they prefer it, as they certainly will, if they are not greater fools than we know some of them to be.
This is the way to operate upon weak men. Keep them above the people, and they will not be likely to feel the people's wants! They will be the more obedient to the Executive will.
Here we have exemplified the fact that there is one currency for the office-holders, and another for the people! Is not our government a most wise and paternal one?
Whilst the people every where are suffering the evils of a deranged, and in many cases a spurious currency, those in office are provided with hard money, which now commands a premium of ten to twelve per cent. See Secretary Woodbury's letter, giving notice that the members of Congress are to be paid in specie, if they prefer it, as they certainly will, if they are not greater fools than we know some of them to be.
This is the way to operate upon weak men. Keep them above the people, and they will not be likely to feel the people's wants! They will be the more obedient to the Executive will.
Here we have exemplified the fact that there is one currency for the office-holders, and another for the people! Is not our government a most wise and paternal one?
What sub-type of article is it?
Economic Policy
Partisan Politics
Satire
What keywords are associated?
Currency
Specie
Office Holders
Paternal Government
Executive Obedience
What entities or persons were involved?
Secretary Woodbury
Members Of Congress
Executive
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Preferential Currency Treatment For Office Holders
Stance / Tone
Sarcastic Criticism Of Paternal Government
Key Figures
Secretary Woodbury
Members Of Congress
Executive
Key Arguments
People Suffer From Deranged And Spurious Currency
Office Holders Receive Hard Money At A 10 12% Premium
Congress Members To Be Paid In Specie If Preferred
Preferential Treatment Keeps Officials Above The People And Insensitive To Their Wants
Officials Become More Obedient To The Executive
Existence Of One Currency For Office Holders And Another For The People