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Page thumbnail for Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political
Editorial September 30, 1811

Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Alexandria, Virginia

What is this article about?

Catechism-format editorial lambasts Democrats for flip-flopping on navy, secrecy, spending, manufactures, diplomacy, appointments, Washington admiration, embezzlement accusations, embargo/war policy, loans/taxes, and economic promises, urging Marylanders to act against them.

Merged-components note: The Political Catechism continues across columns, with text flowing directly from one component to the next.

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Full Text

POLITICAL CATECHISM.
Who were loudly 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 stiles them; and who, 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 Gen. Washington, and patronised the infamous author of the "Jubilee," published in the Aurora when that illustrious statesman announced his resignation? --The Democrats.
Who now affect to be Gen. 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 lately borrowed several millions of Dollars, to pay the ordinary expences of government in times of profound peace! -- 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!--Yes.
And are fools or hypocrites fit to govern a great Nation? --NO.
People of Maryland, our much-esteemed neighbors, think of these things, and ACT as your good sense must dictate.

What sub-type of article is it?

Partisan Politics Satire

What keywords are associated?

Democratic Hypocrisy Political Inconsistencies Jefferson Contradictions Navy Opposition Washington Admiration Embargo War Submission Federalist Defense

What entities or persons were involved?

Democrats Mr. Jefferson Gen. Washington Mr. Pinkney Federalists

Editorial Details

Primary Topic

Inconsistencies In Democratic Policies And Conduct

Stance / Tone

Strongly Critical Of Democrats, Highlighting Hypocrisy

Key Figures

Democrats Mr. Jefferson Gen. Washington Mr. Pinkney Federalists

Key Arguments

Democrats Opposed Navy But Now Want One Democrats Advocated Open Government But Closed Congress Doors Jefferson Opposed Unappropriated Spending But Spent Without Congress Jefferson Favored Agriculture Over Manufactures But Promoted Domestic Industry Democrats Criticized Pinkney But Now Praise Him Democrats Claimed To Support Measures Not Men But Dismissed For Opinions Democrats Calumniated Washington But Now Admire Him Democrats Accused Federalists Of Embezzlement But Acquitted Them Democrats Passed Vote On Embargo/War/Submission But Avoided All Democrats Vilified Loans/Taxes But Now Borrow In Peace Democrats Promised Improvement But Brought Distress

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