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Editorial
October 24, 1826
Richmond Enquirer
Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes early administration supporters for persecuting independent congressmen like Francis Baylies, who is praised for his candid address to constituents declining re-election. Defends opposition against labels of factiousness by listing respected figures like McLane, Macon, and others, urging public inquiry into such attacks.
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Full Text
"FACTIOUS OPPOSITION."
It is early in the career of the administration, for its friends to be driven to the dreadful necessity of sustaining it by resorting to persecution and denunciation. The tricks, subterfuges and misrepresentations of partizan editors and hireling writers were expected from the beginning. The appearance of the following independent article in the Boston Gazette creates some anxiety in our minds to see the statement of Mr. Baylies:
"The last Taunton paper contains an address from the Hon. Francis Baylies, the member of Congress from Bristol District, to his constituents, in which he renders an account of his stewardship, and declares his intention of declining again to be a candidate, as their representative. This is a very able and seasonable state paper. It is written with candour, and discovers a very independent and manly spirit. The present state of things calls for a statement of facts by gentlemen, who are able to do it faithfully. When the representatives of the people are calumniated as factious merely because they do not approve and support every measure proposed by the Cabinet, and surrender their own judgment and consciences—When such men as Mr. Baylies and McLane, Macon, Forsyth, Hamilton, Hemphill and Drayton, are represented 'as a factious and unprincipled opposition,' and are loaded with reproach and obloquy by apostates and changelings, by upstart, mushroom politicians, it is time for the people to inquire."
It is early in the career of the administration, for its friends to be driven to the dreadful necessity of sustaining it by resorting to persecution and denunciation. The tricks, subterfuges and misrepresentations of partizan editors and hireling writers were expected from the beginning. The appearance of the following independent article in the Boston Gazette creates some anxiety in our minds to see the statement of Mr. Baylies:
"The last Taunton paper contains an address from the Hon. Francis Baylies, the member of Congress from Bristol District, to his constituents, in which he renders an account of his stewardship, and declares his intention of declining again to be a candidate, as their representative. This is a very able and seasonable state paper. It is written with candour, and discovers a very independent and manly spirit. The present state of things calls for a statement of facts by gentlemen, who are able to do it faithfully. When the representatives of the people are calumniated as factious merely because they do not approve and support every measure proposed by the Cabinet, and surrender their own judgment and consciences—When such men as Mr. Baylies and McLane, Macon, Forsyth, Hamilton, Hemphill and Drayton, are represented 'as a factious and unprincipled opposition,' and are loaded with reproach and obloquy by apostates and changelings, by upstart, mushroom politicians, it is time for the people to inquire."
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Factious Opposition
Political Persecution
Congressional Independence
Administration Critics
Baylies Address
What entities or persons were involved?
Francis Baylies
Mclane
Macon
Forsyth
Hamilton
Hemphill
Drayton
Cabinet
Administration
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Against Accusations Of Factious Opposition
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Independent Congressmen, Critical Of Administration Persecutors
Key Figures
Francis Baylies
Mclane
Macon
Forsyth
Hamilton
Hemphill
Drayton
Cabinet
Administration
Key Arguments
Administration Supporters Resort To Persecution And Denunciation Too Early
Partisan Editors' Misrepresentations Were Expected
Baylies' Address Is Candid And Independent
Opposition Is Calumniated For Not Surrendering Judgment To Cabinet
Respected Representatives Like Baylies And Others Are Unfairly Labeled Factious
Public Should Inquire Into Attacks By Apostates And Upstart Politicians