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Letter to Editor
August 31, 1808
Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A letter recounts a father's 52 years of suffering from a Revolutionary War wound endured silently for America's freedom. He remains a staunch Federalist, adhering to Washington's principles, and expresses indignation at foreign or uninvolved critics insulting native patriots.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
N. Amer.
“My father's sufferings on account of his wound, which still continues open, have been extreme ; unknown to any but his family, in silence he has worn away 52 years of unceasing anguish, nor could he, I am sure, have borne it with such unexampled patience, were he not buoyed up in the reflection of his suffering in a glorious cause-- his country's freedom. I have seen his countenance kindle with indignation at the infamous denunciations now so commonly bestowed on the party he adheres to; for my own part I would need no demonstration of the falsity of those aggravating insinuations, daily made against the purity of Federal principles, other than a knowledge of his sentiments. Feeling the pride of a patriot insulted in misery, which the warmth of patriotism alone enables him to bear with patience and cheerfulness, I have heard him indignantly exclaim, "Must the spirit of a native American be insulted and trampled upon by foreigners, who were wanderers in Europe, or those who were infants in their cradles, or unconcerned spectators while he was enduring pain, wretchedness & want in the struggle for independence "!!!
"With a sincere conviction of their being most conducive to his country's welfare, he has ever professed the principles of the school of Washington, and as an adherence to them soon raised us up from the weakness of infancy to the strength of manhood, he believes a departure from them has brought upon us untimely decrepitude."
“My father's sufferings on account of his wound, which still continues open, have been extreme ; unknown to any but his family, in silence he has worn away 52 years of unceasing anguish, nor could he, I am sure, have borne it with such unexampled patience, were he not buoyed up in the reflection of his suffering in a glorious cause-- his country's freedom. I have seen his countenance kindle with indignation at the infamous denunciations now so commonly bestowed on the party he adheres to; for my own part I would need no demonstration of the falsity of those aggravating insinuations, daily made against the purity of Federal principles, other than a knowledge of his sentiments. Feeling the pride of a patriot insulted in misery, which the warmth of patriotism alone enables him to bear with patience and cheerfulness, I have heard him indignantly exclaim, "Must the spirit of a native American be insulted and trampled upon by foreigners, who were wanderers in Europe, or those who were infants in their cradles, or unconcerned spectators while he was enduring pain, wretchedness & want in the struggle for independence "!!!
"With a sincere conviction of their being most conducive to his country's welfare, he has ever professed the principles of the school of Washington, and as an adherence to them soon raised us up from the weakness of infancy to the strength of manhood, he believes a departure from them has brought upon us untimely decrepitude."
What sub-type of article is it?
Emotional
Reflective
Political
What themes does it cover?
Military War
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Revolutionary War Wound
Federal Principles
American Patriotism
Washington School
Veteran Suffering
Letter to Editor Details
Main Argument
the father's lifelong suffering from a war wound exemplifies true patriotism and the purity of federal principles, which he believes have been vital to the nation's strength, and he resents criticisms from those uninvolved in the independence struggle.
Notable Details
Father's Exclamation Against Foreigners And Uninvolved Critics
Reference To Washington's Principles As Key To National Strength