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Editorial
July 30, 1791
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
An editorial defends the success of the U.S. federal government under the new republican system, noting restored peace, commerce, credit, and agriculture, while mocking critics who predict gloom or allege public apathy and suppressed investigation.
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COMMUNICATIONS.
It has been asserted, that Government depends on opinion; if there is any truth in the phrase, it makes Government the most capricious idea in nature.—For what is more unsteady than the ebb and flow of the general sentiment on almost every subject submitted to public investigation ? Such random, indefinite compliments may answer temporary personal purposes, but their tendency is to compliment the people out of their liberties, peace and happiness.
The success which has attended the administration of the general government, exceeds the most sanguine expectations of the warmest friends to the Union of these free States.— Every anticipation has been more than realized ; and hitherto not one gloomy prediction has been verified.—So great is the peace and tranquility that universally prevail, that some eagle-eyed politicians, who are never happy while their neighbours are so wise as to think themselves so, affect to be astonished—and because the people find no fault with their rulers, conclude that either a stupid apathy hath seized the public mind, or that a free investigation of public measures is suppressed !
While every thing was afloat in these States ; and civil discord was hovering over our heads— while public and private confidence was destroyed—our Commerce was expiring, and our Credit " a hissing and a bye-word among the nations," —our situation was, according to some restless scribblers, truly eligible—but when, awaking as from a dream, we asserted our claim to freedom, and to an honorable rank among the nations of the earth—by establishing the most perfect Republican system of Government the world hath ever seen—and under its blessed influences retrieved our Credit, restored our Commerce, and effectually succored and established our agriculture, and mechanic Arts, strange to tell, we were guilty of a dereliction of republican principles! —Happy the People, whose rulers thus conduct; and happy the Administration, who can only be impeached for saving their Country !
It has been asserted, that Government depends on opinion; if there is any truth in the phrase, it makes Government the most capricious idea in nature.—For what is more unsteady than the ebb and flow of the general sentiment on almost every subject submitted to public investigation ? Such random, indefinite compliments may answer temporary personal purposes, but their tendency is to compliment the people out of their liberties, peace and happiness.
The success which has attended the administration of the general government, exceeds the most sanguine expectations of the warmest friends to the Union of these free States.— Every anticipation has been more than realized ; and hitherto not one gloomy prediction has been verified.—So great is the peace and tranquility that universally prevail, that some eagle-eyed politicians, who are never happy while their neighbours are so wise as to think themselves so, affect to be astonished—and because the people find no fault with their rulers, conclude that either a stupid apathy hath seized the public mind, or that a free investigation of public measures is suppressed !
While every thing was afloat in these States ; and civil discord was hovering over our heads— while public and private confidence was destroyed—our Commerce was expiring, and our Credit " a hissing and a bye-word among the nations," —our situation was, according to some restless scribblers, truly eligible—but when, awaking as from a dream, we asserted our claim to freedom, and to an honorable rank among the nations of the earth—by establishing the most perfect Republican system of Government the world hath ever seen—and under its blessed influences retrieved our Credit, restored our Commerce, and effectually succored and established our agriculture, and mechanic Arts, strange to tell, we were guilty of a dereliction of republican principles! —Happy the People, whose rulers thus conduct; and happy the Administration, who can only be impeached for saving their Country !
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Partisan Politics
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Federal Government Success
Republican System
Political Critics
Restored Commerce
Public Peace
Constitutional Defense
What entities or persons were involved?
General Government
Eagle Eyed Politicians
Restless Scribblers
The People
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Federal Government's Success
Stance / Tone
Strongly Supportive Of Administration, Mocking Critics
Key Figures
General Government
Eagle Eyed Politicians
Restless Scribblers
The People
Key Arguments
Government Depends On Opinion, Making It Capricious
Success Of Federal Administration Exceeds Expectations
No Gloomy Predictions Verified; Peace Prevails
Critics Allege Apathy Or Suppressed Investigation Due To Lack Of Fault Finding
Past Chaos Under Weak System; Now Restored Commerce, Credit, Agriculture Via Republican Government
Critics Call Establishment Of Strong Government A Dereliction Of Principles