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Editorial
July 2, 1819
Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A satirical poem from the Washington City Gazette denies American complaints of 'hard times,' highlighting their prosperity in food, drink, and freedom compared to European laborers' toil under priests and nobles, urging gratitude to Providence.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
FROM THE WASHINGTON CITY GAZETTE.
HARD TIMES
Addressed to the American neophyte.
Hard times! from every quarter is the cry;
Hard times, indeed! The fact I do deny.
Is it hard times, when, if the truth you tell,
You must confess you live extremely well?
On best of meats and wheaten bread you dine.
And drink in plenty whiskey, ale or wine;
Dress fine as lords; move to and fro at ease,
Work when you please, and play whene'er you please.
O, Providence, have such a people cause.
(People who own no sovereign but the laws!)
To mourn their plight, thy mercies to decry,
Because on wings of gold they cannot fly?
Ungrateful race! to whom your God hath given,
The best the soil at richest boon of heaven
Turn but your eyes to Europe's distant shore,
Silence your groundless plaints and sigh no more.
There view your fellow man; behold his doom
Bound to the soil or fastened to the loom:
For priests and nobles daily forc'd to toil,
Who of his labor makes a sport and spoil:
A scanty pittance to their victim give,
And call it charity, to let him live.
Your fate with his, Americans! compare;
Be thankful, and your murmurings forbear.
HARD TIMES
Addressed to the American neophyte.
Hard times! from every quarter is the cry;
Hard times, indeed! The fact I do deny.
Is it hard times, when, if the truth you tell,
You must confess you live extremely well?
On best of meats and wheaten bread you dine.
And drink in plenty whiskey, ale or wine;
Dress fine as lords; move to and fro at ease,
Work when you please, and play whene'er you please.
O, Providence, have such a people cause.
(People who own no sovereign but the laws!)
To mourn their plight, thy mercies to decry,
Because on wings of gold they cannot fly?
Ungrateful race! to whom your God hath given,
The best the soil at richest boon of heaven
Turn but your eyes to Europe's distant shore,
Silence your groundless plaints and sigh no more.
There view your fellow man; behold his doom
Bound to the soil or fastened to the loom:
For priests and nobles daily forc'd to toil,
Who of his labor makes a sport and spoil:
A scanty pittance to their victim give,
And call it charity, to let him live.
Your fate with his, Americans! compare;
Be thankful, and your murmurings forbear.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Moral Or Religious
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Hard Times
American Prosperity
European Poverty
Gratitude
Providence
Satire
What entities or persons were involved?
Americans
Europeans
Providence
Priests And Nobles
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Denial Of American Hard Times Compared To Europe
Stance / Tone
Satirical Exhortation To Gratitude
Key Figures
Americans
Europeans
Providence
Priests And Nobles
Key Arguments
Americans Live Well With Abundant Food, Drink, Fine Dress, And Freedom
Complaints Of Hard Times Are Groundless And Ungrateful To God
Europeans Toil Bound To Soil Or Loom For Priests And Nobles' Benefit
Compare Fates And Be Thankful For American Blessings