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Letter to Editor
July 22, 1834
Richmond Enquirer
Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In a letter to the Enquirer's editors, 'Alpha' from Petersburg refutes claims of toasts honoring Senator Benjamin Watkins Leigh at the July 4 dinner, interpreting the omission as evidence of his unpopularity and foreshadowing opposition via representative Mr. Brown. (187 characters)
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Full Text
TO THE EDITORS OF THE ENQUIRER.
"FLIBBERTY-GIBBETTY."
Your little, jumping-Jiminy of an Editor—I mean he of the Compiler—seems disposed to exult at the idea, that there was but one Toast drank at our dinner on the Fourth instant, detracting at all from the merits of our august Senator, Benjamin Watkins Leigh. I ask you now, sir, Mr. Editor of the Compiler. to cast your eyes over the proceedings on the 4th, at Petersburg, and see how many toasts you can find complimentary of the gentleman Senator. See if you can find one—one single one—just one, if you please, my good sir. When you have done this, and will find one single toast complimenting Mr. Leigh—then, sir, and not until then, am I ready to admit that Mr. Leigh has any hold upon the affections of the People of this town, as a politician. The People of Petersburg know Mr. Leigh— yes, sir, I say they know him—and, knowing him, they do not toast him. True it is, they did not proceed to denounce him in their Volunteer Toasts, and for what reason? Why, simply because, they are a forbearing people; for which Mr. L. and his friends ought to be very thankful. Petersburg knows her duty—she knows what is due to an opponent in politics—and through her representative in the Legislature next winter, she will not fail to give an account of herself. Mr. Brown will find out in due time, what is his duty, as her faithful representative; and we feel no doubt about his doing it. We have never asked the question—but feel assured be acknowledges the right of instruction—Hence we are content.
ALPHA.
Petersburg, July 17.
"FLIBBERTY-GIBBETTY."
Your little, jumping-Jiminy of an Editor—I mean he of the Compiler—seems disposed to exult at the idea, that there was but one Toast drank at our dinner on the Fourth instant, detracting at all from the merits of our august Senator, Benjamin Watkins Leigh. I ask you now, sir, Mr. Editor of the Compiler. to cast your eyes over the proceedings on the 4th, at Petersburg, and see how many toasts you can find complimentary of the gentleman Senator. See if you can find one—one single one—just one, if you please, my good sir. When you have done this, and will find one single toast complimenting Mr. Leigh—then, sir, and not until then, am I ready to admit that Mr. Leigh has any hold upon the affections of the People of this town, as a politician. The People of Petersburg know Mr. Leigh— yes, sir, I say they know him—and, knowing him, they do not toast him. True it is, they did not proceed to denounce him in their Volunteer Toasts, and for what reason? Why, simply because, they are a forbearing people; for which Mr. L. and his friends ought to be very thankful. Petersburg knows her duty—she knows what is due to an opponent in politics—and through her representative in the Legislature next winter, she will not fail to give an account of herself. Mr. Brown will find out in due time, what is his duty, as her faithful representative; and we feel no doubt about his doing it. We have never asked the question—but feel assured be acknowledges the right of instruction—Hence we are content.
ALPHA.
Petersburg, July 17.
What sub-type of article is it?
Political
Persuasive
Provocative
What themes does it cover?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Petersburg Politics
Benjamin Watkins Leigh
July Fourth Toasts
Senator Criticism
Representative Brown
Political Opposition
What entities or persons were involved?
Alpha.
To The Editors Of The Enquirer.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Alpha.
Recipient
To The Editors Of The Enquirer.
Main Argument
the letter challenges the compiler's editor's claim of toasts to senator benjamin watkins leigh at the petersburg july 4 dinner, asserting that the absence of any such toasts demonstrates leigh's lack of affection from the people, who will express opposition through their representative mr. brown.
Notable Details
Reference To 'Flibberty Gibbetty.'
Criticism Of The Compiler's Editor As 'Little, Jumping Jiminy'
Mention Of Petersburg's Forbearance In Not Denouncing Leigh In Volunteer Toasts
Acknowledgment Of The Right Of Instruction For The Representative