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Editorial
January 5, 1797
The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser
Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Philadelphia editorial questions rejection of age-based militia classification in House, inspired by French armies; defines Jacobinism's evolution; denounces aristocracy as corrupt government of the unworthy; extols democracy as humanity's refuge.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
PHILADELPHIA, December 22.
It is worthy of observation, that the motion rejected on Tuesday in the House of Representatives, concerning the classification of the militia, carried in it that great principle which has given additional energy to the French armies; each corps consisting as nearly as possible of persons of the same age. Query, was it rejected because it was French, or because it was a wise principle ?
What is Jacobinism ?--It was at one time, in France, a holy spirit of insurrection, founded on reason and justice. It was at another epoch an enthusiastic spirit pushed beyond the limits of reason into the regions of insanity. It does not at present exist in France.
Aristocracy if the definition only be consulted, is in no wise different from a democracy; because it is the government of the best, but in its acceptation it is the worst, the most disgraceful of all possible governments. It is the government of men, founding their pretensions, not on their merits, on their love of liberty, or their information, but on their antiquity of race, on their intrigues against liberty on their aversion for equality. Aristocracy in every age have been composed of the most insolent, the most shallow, the most rich, superficial, vain,-empty, and contemptible-members of society; of men who have mistaken intrigue for ingenuity and dissimulation for cabinet policy of men who with that mankind should gape and stare on government as a sublime supernatural business, beyond their reason, and beyond their enquiry and discussion.
Democracy in every age has been respected the terror of tyrants ; the resting place of philosophy; the refuge, the asylum of the human race.
It is worthy of observation, that the motion rejected on Tuesday in the House of Representatives, concerning the classification of the militia, carried in it that great principle which has given additional energy to the French armies; each corps consisting as nearly as possible of persons of the same age. Query, was it rejected because it was French, or because it was a wise principle ?
What is Jacobinism ?--It was at one time, in France, a holy spirit of insurrection, founded on reason and justice. It was at another epoch an enthusiastic spirit pushed beyond the limits of reason into the regions of insanity. It does not at present exist in France.
Aristocracy if the definition only be consulted, is in no wise different from a democracy; because it is the government of the best, but in its acceptation it is the worst, the most disgraceful of all possible governments. It is the government of men, founding their pretensions, not on their merits, on their love of liberty, or their information, but on their antiquity of race, on their intrigues against liberty on their aversion for equality. Aristocracy in every age have been composed of the most insolent, the most shallow, the most rich, superficial, vain,-empty, and contemptible-members of society; of men who have mistaken intrigue for ingenuity and dissimulation for cabinet policy of men who with that mankind should gape and stare on government as a sublime supernatural business, beyond their reason, and beyond their enquiry and discussion.
Democracy in every age has been respected the terror of tyrants ; the resting place of philosophy; the refuge, the asylum of the human race.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Foreign Affairs
Constitutional
What keywords are associated?
Militia Classification
French Principle
Jacobinism
Aristocracy Critique
Democracy Praise
What entities or persons were involved?
House Of Representatives
French Armies
Jacobins
Aristocracy
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Rejected Militia Reform And Definitions Of Political Principles
Stance / Tone
Pro Democracy And Anti Aristocracy, Questioning Anti French Bias
Key Figures
House Of Representatives
French Armies
Jacobins
Aristocracy
Key Arguments
Rejected Militia Classification Motion Embodied Wise French Principle Of Age Based Corps
Query If Rejection Due To French Origin Or Lack Of Wisdom
Jacobinism Was Initially A Holy Spirit Of Reason And Justice
Jacobinism Later Became Insane Enthusiasm Beyond Reason, Now Extinct In France
Aristocracy Defined As Government Of The Best But Actually Worst, Based On Race And Intrigue
Aristocrats Are Insolent, Shallow, Rich, Vain, And Contemptible
Democracy Respected As Terror Of Tyrants And Refuge Of Humanity