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Editorial
January 2, 1809
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Editorial denounces political favoritism by Democratic officials at the Boston custom house, who refuse clearances to Federalist vessels carrying tobacco and tar to Portland but grant them to Democratic ones, violating the Bill of Rights' guarantee of equal privileges for all citizens.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
FAVORITISM.
While groaning under the oppression which our rulers have inflicted upon us, it would afford some consolation, (as "misery loves company," )to perceive that these iniquitous laws operated in the same manner upon both political parties. We are bold to say, however, that this is not the case.
Although our Bill of Rights expressly declares, that "no man, nor corporation, or association of men, have any other title to obtain advantages, or particular and exclusive privileges distinct from those of the community," yet the daily transactions which grow out of this system of Favoritism, are "proofs as strong as holy writ," that the regard which the demagogues of the day have professed to feel for the equal rights and liberties of the people, are totally void of sincerity.
Among the numerous instances of granting to their favorites "exclusive privileges" by the powers that be, we give the following:
A gentleman belonging to this town, not long since, purchased seven hogsheads of Tobacco, in Boston. He wished to have it conveyed to Portland, and for that purpose applied to the master of one of the Portland packets; who, on endeavoring to have it cleared out at the custom house, was peremptorily refused, without having any reason assigned therefor. The gentleman alluded to, applied to the several other packet masters then in port, who, (like the former, possessing the unpardonable sin of federalism), were in like manner refused a clearance. But, behold ! on the day following, arrived a kind hearted, inoffensive Democrat, who not only obtained a clearance for the seven hogsheads of tobacco above mentioned, but for four others, which have since arrived in town.
At the time this circumstance took place, a vessel lying in the stream, with a few barrels of Tar on board, from Lynn, had been entered at the custom house in Boston, for Portland : but unfortunately for the master. he belonged to the Washington school ! He was therefore compelled to haul up to the wharf, and discharge his Tar --What a charming thing it is to have rulers and officers of government thus friendly to the equal rights of the citizens,
While groaning under the oppression which our rulers have inflicted upon us, it would afford some consolation, (as "misery loves company," )to perceive that these iniquitous laws operated in the same manner upon both political parties. We are bold to say, however, that this is not the case.
Although our Bill of Rights expressly declares, that "no man, nor corporation, or association of men, have any other title to obtain advantages, or particular and exclusive privileges distinct from those of the community," yet the daily transactions which grow out of this system of Favoritism, are "proofs as strong as holy writ," that the regard which the demagogues of the day have professed to feel for the equal rights and liberties of the people, are totally void of sincerity.
Among the numerous instances of granting to their favorites "exclusive privileges" by the powers that be, we give the following:
A gentleman belonging to this town, not long since, purchased seven hogsheads of Tobacco, in Boston. He wished to have it conveyed to Portland, and for that purpose applied to the master of one of the Portland packets; who, on endeavoring to have it cleared out at the custom house, was peremptorily refused, without having any reason assigned therefor. The gentleman alluded to, applied to the several other packet masters then in port, who, (like the former, possessing the unpardonable sin of federalism), were in like manner refused a clearance. But, behold ! on the day following, arrived a kind hearted, inoffensive Democrat, who not only obtained a clearance for the seven hogsheads of tobacco above mentioned, but for four others, which have since arrived in town.
At the time this circumstance took place, a vessel lying in the stream, with a few barrels of Tar on board, from Lynn, had been entered at the custom house in Boston, for Portland : but unfortunately for the master. he belonged to the Washington school ! He was therefore compelled to haul up to the wharf, and discharge his Tar --What a charming thing it is to have rulers and officers of government thus friendly to the equal rights of the citizens,
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Constitutional
What keywords are associated?
Favoritism
Political Parties
Custom House
Equal Rights
Federalism
Democrats
Bill Of Rights
Tobacco Clearance
Tar Discharge
What entities or persons were involved?
Demagogues
Powers That Be
Democrat Packet Master
Federalists
Washington School
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Political Favoritism In Custom House Clearances
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical Of Democratic Favoritism
Key Figures
Demagogues
Powers That Be
Democrat Packet Master
Federalists
Washington School
Key Arguments
Iniquitous Laws Do Not Operate Equally On Both Political Parties
Bill Of Rights Declares No Exclusive Privileges Distinct From The Community
Daily Transactions Prove Insincerity In Professed Regard For Equal Rights
Federalist Packet Masters Denied Clearance For Tobacco To Portland
Democratic Packet Master Granted Clearance For Tobacco
Federalist Vessel From Washington School Forced To Discharge Tar