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Editorial
April 10, 1788
The New York Journal, And Daily Patriotic Register
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A letter to the editor criticizes a merchant's claim that opponents of the new U.S. Constitution are knaves, fools, or interested men, attributing such views to the self-interested nature of the mercantile profession and defending the opponents as honest patriots.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
For the Daily Patriotic Register.
MR. GREENLEAF,
WHEN a man, whose favorite subjects of contemplation rather than the inspection of butter and hogslard, and the culling of staves--who never intentionally performed a patriotic action, and who never felt the force of any other principle than interest-- openly declares, that the opponents of the new constitution are either knaves, fools, or interested men--resentment must be excited, by the impudence of the expression, and contempt, by the self-importance of the expressor. A person of the least liberality would never harbour such contracted, such prejudiced sentiments: a person of common sense would never utter them; and a man of the most superficial discernment would never attempt to brand with knavery or folly, the most honest and respectable characters of America--but when we reflect, what better can be expected from one, who possesses all the faults, and none of the good qualities incident to the mercantile profession? Would it not be as ridiculous to expect that the purchasing of provisions, the distributing of Whiskey, and the starving of a patriotic army for the sake of pelf, would polish the manners, expand the mind, or meliorate the morals, as it would be to suppose, that comfort could be drawn from presumption, and imprudence, or sand, converted into gold.
WATCHMAN.
MR. GREENLEAF,
WHEN a man, whose favorite subjects of contemplation rather than the inspection of butter and hogslard, and the culling of staves--who never intentionally performed a patriotic action, and who never felt the force of any other principle than interest-- openly declares, that the opponents of the new constitution are either knaves, fools, or interested men--resentment must be excited, by the impudence of the expression, and contempt, by the self-importance of the expressor. A person of the least liberality would never harbour such contracted, such prejudiced sentiments: a person of common sense would never utter them; and a man of the most superficial discernment would never attempt to brand with knavery or folly, the most honest and respectable characters of America--but when we reflect, what better can be expected from one, who possesses all the faults, and none of the good qualities incident to the mercantile profession? Would it not be as ridiculous to expect that the purchasing of provisions, the distributing of Whiskey, and the starving of a patriotic army for the sake of pelf, would polish the manners, expand the mind, or meliorate the morals, as it would be to suppose, that comfort could be drawn from presumption, and imprudence, or sand, converted into gold.
WATCHMAN.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
New Constitution
Opponents
Mercantile Profession
Self Interest
Patriotic Action
Constitutional Debate
Anti Federalist Defense
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Greenleaf
Opponents Of The New Constitution
Mercantile Profession
Patriotic Army
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Opponents To The New Constitution Against Mercantile Criticism
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical And Contemptuous Of The Merchant's Views
Key Figures
Mr. Greenleaf
Opponents Of The New Constitution
Mercantile Profession
Patriotic Army
Key Arguments
The Merchant's Favorite Contemplations Are Petty Commercial Matters Like Butter, Hogslard, And Staves.
The Merchant Has Never Acted Patriotically And Is Driven Only By Self Interest.
Labeling Constitution Opponents As Knaves, Fools, Or Interested Men Excites Resentment Due To Impudence And Contempt Due To Self Importance.
Such Prejudiced Sentiments Are Unworthy Of Liberal, Sensible, Or Discerning Persons.
The Merchant Embodies All Faults Of The Mercantile Profession Without Its Virtues.
Expecting Moral Or Intellectual Improvement From Commercial Activities Like Starving The Army For Profit Is Ridiculous.
Commercial Pursuits Cannot Polish Manners, Expand The Mind, Or Improve Morals.