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Editorial
October 29, 1831
Phenix Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial from New York American argues for adopting 'Americans' as the exclusive national name for U.S. citizens, distinguishing from other continental states, and criticizes using monarchical terms like 'Ministers' and 'palace' for republican offices, warning that names can influence institutions.
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Full Text
From the New York American.
What is there in a name? A great deal sometimes. A rallying word has made multitudes act as one man. Similar names have associated ideas with things very unlike.
The people of this country have been much in want of a patronymic for themselves. They seem likely to have one: America is now almost exclusively appropriated to the United States. We are called, and we call ourselves, Americans.—This is well: the name is appropriate. All the other States of these two continents have taken some other to themselves. The disposition to give us a name should, I think, be encouraged. Let us be Americans; let others be Mexicans, Colombians, Peruvians, &c.
Our Secretaries are sometimes called Ministers, and the President's house a palace. These names seem objectionable. We have done away with monarchical institutions and with monarchical forms? "Secretaries" is as easily written as "Ministers," and "house" as "palace."
We may be insensibly led to make the things fit the names. We may perhaps learn too late that there is something in
A NAME.
What is there in a name? A great deal sometimes. A rallying word has made multitudes act as one man. Similar names have associated ideas with things very unlike.
The people of this country have been much in want of a patronymic for themselves. They seem likely to have one: America is now almost exclusively appropriated to the United States. We are called, and we call ourselves, Americans.—This is well: the name is appropriate. All the other States of these two continents have taken some other to themselves. The disposition to give us a name should, I think, be encouraged. Let us be Americans; let others be Mexicans, Colombians, Peruvians, &c.
Our Secretaries are sometimes called Ministers, and the President's house a palace. These names seem objectionable. We have done away with monarchical institutions and with monarchical forms? "Secretaries" is as easily written as "Ministers," and "house" as "palace."
We may be insensibly led to make the things fit the names. We may perhaps learn too late that there is something in
A NAME.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
American Identity
National Name
Republican Nomenclature
Monarchical Terms
United States
What entities or persons were involved?
President
Secretaries
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Adoption Of 'Americans' And Rejection Of Monarchical Nomenclature
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Republican Simplicity And National Identity
Key Figures
President
Secretaries
Key Arguments
Names Carry Significant Influence On Ideas And Actions
America Now Exclusively Refers To The United States
Encourage Use Of 'Americans' To Distinguish From Other Nations
Reject 'Ministers' And 'Palace' To Avoid Monarchical Associations
Republican Forms Should Use Simple Terms Like 'Secretaries' And 'House'
Names Can Insensibly Shape Institutions