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Editorial
August 1, 1817
The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
The Richmond Enquirer satirically criticizes overly elaborate media accounts of President James Monroe's tour, decrying the pomp as unbefitting republican America and praising Monroe's simplicity. (148 characters)
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
"SOUR GRAPES."
The Richmond Enquirer, of the 18th ultimo, says, "we turn with satiety from the descriptions, the publick prints give us of the President's tour. 'A little too much of this,' says Hamlet. So much parade—such bombastick accounts of who he breakfasted or dined with, his cortege, and courtiers, and collations, and balls; mixed up with such ridiculous and parasitical accounts, that we turn away with disgust, and ask ourselves:—
'Is this America? Are these the manners of republican citizens? Is this the description of the trip of an American officer in the discharge of his executive duties?—Or are we in England, where "the great man" scarcely moves without a herald at his heels? James Monroe is an honest man, of a warm and generous heart—and if we do not most grossly mistake him, one of the plainest men that ever sat in the chair of any State. But these descriptions suit not him, nor the office which he fills, nor the people, whose agent he is.'"
The Richmond Enquirer, of the 18th ultimo, says, "we turn with satiety from the descriptions, the publick prints give us of the President's tour. 'A little too much of this,' says Hamlet. So much parade—such bombastick accounts of who he breakfasted or dined with, his cortege, and courtiers, and collations, and balls; mixed up with such ridiculous and parasitical accounts, that we turn away with disgust, and ask ourselves:—
'Is this America? Are these the manners of republican citizens? Is this the description of the trip of an American officer in the discharge of his executive duties?—Or are we in England, where "the great man" scarcely moves without a herald at his heels? James Monroe is an honest man, of a warm and generous heart—and if we do not most grossly mistake him, one of the plainest men that ever sat in the chair of any State. But these descriptions suit not him, nor the office which he fills, nor the people, whose agent he is.'"
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Partisan Politics
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Sour Grapes
Monroe Tour
Republican Manners
Presidential Pomp
Political Satire
What entities or persons were involved?
James Monroe
Richmond Enquirer
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Pompous Descriptions Of President Monroe's Tour
Stance / Tone
Satirical Disgust At Monarchical Style Pomp In Republican America
Key Figures
James Monroe
Richmond Enquirer
Key Arguments
Media Descriptions Of President's Tour Feature Excessive Parade And Bombast
Such Accounts Mix Ridiculous And Parasitical Flattery
Incompatible With Republican Manners And American Simplicity
President Monroe Is Honest, Generous, And Plain, Unsuited To Such Pomp