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Editorial
October 8, 1811
The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A catechism-style editorial from the Alexandria Gazette exposes perceived inconsistencies in Democratic-Republican (Democrat) policies and actions under Jefferson, contrasting them with Federalist positions on navy, secrets, expenditures, manufactures, personnel, and more, urging Marylanders to act wisely.
Merged-components note: These components form a single 'Political Catechism' editorial article.
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FROM THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
POLITICAL CATECHISM.
Who were loud and constantly exclaiming, ten years ago, that the United States ought not to support a Navy, and that such an establishment would ruin the country? The Democrats.
Who are now deploring the want of a Navy, and declaring that we cannot do without one? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who formerly asserted that a Republic ought to have no secrets? The Democrats.
Who have most frequently closed the doors of Congress, and kept other important matters from public knowledge, Federalists or Democrats? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who declared in a message to Congress, that no money ought to be suffered to go from the treasury without a previous and specific appropriation? Mr. Jefferson.
Who ordered the expenditure of upwards of five hundred thousand dollars of the public money, during the recess, and without the knowledge of Congress?
Mr. Jefferson.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who "wrote a book" called Notes on Virginia, in which he expresses it as his opinion that our workshops ought forever to remain in Europe, -that so long at least as we had land enough to cultivate, we ought to be an agricultural people, -and that Mechanics were the drones of Society? Mr. Jefferson.
Who when President of the United States did every thing in his power to promote domestic manufactures, both by recommendation and by discouraging foreign commerce, thus converting great numbers of our citizens into "drones," who otherwise would have remained Farmers, the "chosen people of God," as he styles the land, notwithstanding all this, purchased a vast wilderness to add to our former immense uncultivated possessions? Mr. Jefferson.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who were continually abusing Mr. Pinkney, while minister in London, and even threw out foul insinuations respecting his lady's dress at a levee in London? The Democrats.
Who are now extolling Mr. Pinkney as a first-rate patriot and who have since appointed him a Senator in the Legislature of Maryland? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who have always declared that measures-and not men were the objects of their support, and that all they required in a public officer was honesty and capacity? The Democrats.
Who dismissed men from office merely for differing in sentiment, and appointed men to lucrative stations who suddenly pretended to have changed their opinions? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who calumniated General Washington, and patronized the infamous author of the "Jubilee," published in the Aurora when that illustrious statesman announced his resignation? The Democrats.
Who now affect to be General Washington's most sincere admirers? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who boldly accused the Federal Administration of having embezzled the public money? The Democrats.
Who, after a solemn inquiry, by a "Committee of Investigation" appointed for the purpose, publicly acquitted them of the slanderous accusation? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who formerly passed a vote in Congress, that we had no alternatives, but "Embargo, War, or Submission"? The Democrats.
Who have proceeded ever since, without laying an Embargo, without declaring War, and swearing all the while that we have never submitted? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who vilified the Federal Administration for resorting to loans and direct taxes? The Democrats.
Who have borrowed millions of Dollars, to pay the ordinary expenses of government? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who persuaded the people that the Federalists would ruin the country and that if they were elected every man's condition would be greatly improved? The Democrats.
Who after ten years managing the concerns of the nation, have brought distress and poverty to stare thousands in the face? The Democrats.
Is not this INCONSISTENT? Yes.
Do not all these contradictions in their professions and conduct, prove that our rulers were either fools or hypocrites formerly or that they are such now? And are fools or hypocrites fit to govern a great Nation? No.
People of Maryland our much esteemed neighbours, think of these things, and ACT as your good sense must dictate.
POLITICAL CATECHISM.
Who were loud and constantly exclaiming, ten years ago, that the United States ought not to support a Navy, and that such an establishment would ruin the country? The Democrats.
Who are now deploring the want of a Navy, and declaring that we cannot do without one? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who formerly asserted that a Republic ought to have no secrets? The Democrats.
Who have most frequently closed the doors of Congress, and kept other important matters from public knowledge, Federalists or Democrats? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who declared in a message to Congress, that no money ought to be suffered to go from the treasury without a previous and specific appropriation? Mr. Jefferson.
Who ordered the expenditure of upwards of five hundred thousand dollars of the public money, during the recess, and without the knowledge of Congress?
Mr. Jefferson.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who "wrote a book" called Notes on Virginia, in which he expresses it as his opinion that our workshops ought forever to remain in Europe, -that so long at least as we had land enough to cultivate, we ought to be an agricultural people, -and that Mechanics were the drones of Society? Mr. Jefferson.
Who when President of the United States did every thing in his power to promote domestic manufactures, both by recommendation and by discouraging foreign commerce, thus converting great numbers of our citizens into "drones," who otherwise would have remained Farmers, the "chosen people of God," as he styles the land, notwithstanding all this, purchased a vast wilderness to add to our former immense uncultivated possessions? Mr. Jefferson.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who were continually abusing Mr. Pinkney, while minister in London, and even threw out foul insinuations respecting his lady's dress at a levee in London? The Democrats.
Who are now extolling Mr. Pinkney as a first-rate patriot and who have since appointed him a Senator in the Legislature of Maryland? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who have always declared that measures-and not men were the objects of their support, and that all they required in a public officer was honesty and capacity? The Democrats.
Who dismissed men from office merely for differing in sentiment, and appointed men to lucrative stations who suddenly pretended to have changed their opinions? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who calumniated General Washington, and patronized the infamous author of the "Jubilee," published in the Aurora when that illustrious statesman announced his resignation? The Democrats.
Who now affect to be General Washington's most sincere admirers? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who boldly accused the Federal Administration of having embezzled the public money? The Democrats.
Who, after a solemn inquiry, by a "Committee of Investigation" appointed for the purpose, publicly acquitted them of the slanderous accusation? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who formerly passed a vote in Congress, that we had no alternatives, but "Embargo, War, or Submission"? The Democrats.
Who have proceeded ever since, without laying an Embargo, without declaring War, and swearing all the while that we have never submitted? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who vilified the Federal Administration for resorting to loans and direct taxes? The Democrats.
Who have borrowed millions of Dollars, to pay the ordinary expenses of government? The Democrats.
Is not this inconsistent? Yes.
Who persuaded the people that the Federalists would ruin the country and that if they were elected every man's condition would be greatly improved? The Democrats.
Who after ten years managing the concerns of the nation, have brought distress and poverty to stare thousands in the face? The Democrats.
Is not this INCONSISTENT? Yes.
Do not all these contradictions in their professions and conduct, prove that our rulers were either fools or hypocrites formerly or that they are such now? And are fools or hypocrites fit to govern a great Nation? No.
People of Maryland our much esteemed neighbours, think of these things, and ACT as your good sense must dictate.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Democrats Hypocrisy
Jefferson Inconsistencies
Navy Opposition
Political Expenditures
Domestic Manufactures
Pinkney Praise
Washington Admiration
Federal Acquittal
Embargo War Submission
Taxation Criticism
What entities or persons were involved?
Democrats
Mr. Jefferson
General Washington
Mr. Pinkney
Federal Administration
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Inconsistencies In Democratic Republican Positions And Actions
Stance / Tone
Accusatory Of Hypocrisy
Key Figures
Democrats
Mr. Jefferson
General Washington
Mr. Pinkney
Federal Administration
Key Arguments
Democrats Opposed Navy But Now Want One
Democrats Claimed No Secrets But Closed Congress Doors
Jefferson Required Appropriations But Spent Without Congress
Jefferson Opposed Manufactures But Promoted Them As President
Democrats Abused Pinkney But Now Praise Him
Democrats Dismissed Men For Sentiments But Claimed To Support Measures Not Men
Democrats Calumniated Washington But Now Admire Him
Democrats Accused Federalists Of Embezzlement But Acquitted Them
Democrats Passed Embargo Vote But Proceeded Without It
Democrats Vilified Federal Taxes But Now Impose Them
Democrats Promised Improvement But Brought Distress