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Editorial
May 25, 1812
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
An editorial criticizes an 'infatuated administration' for seeking a substitute for their flawed system oppressing commerce, arguing instead to reverse it and grant 'sea room' for free trade, responding to 'wise men of the West.'
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Substitute.
Give us a substitute (says the infatuated administration) for the system we have adopted.—we answer that no substitute is necessary for things bad in themselves. All that is required in such cases is to reverse the things. Commerce does not ask you to take her from the stocks and put her in the pillory. She says she is an innocent sufferer, and prays you would let her go and try to obtain an honest living.
What would you have us to do?
Say the wise men of the West.
Why, gentlemen, we reply, "All that a poor subject asks of your majesties is, that your majesties would ask nothing of him." Give us sea room—that is what we would have you do, and it is what you must do—The door of a Lion's den cannot be held by a button.
Give us a substitute (says the infatuated administration) for the system we have adopted.—we answer that no substitute is necessary for things bad in themselves. All that is required in such cases is to reverse the things. Commerce does not ask you to take her from the stocks and put her in the pillory. She says she is an innocent sufferer, and prays you would let her go and try to obtain an honest living.
What would you have us to do?
Say the wise men of the West.
Why, gentlemen, we reply, "All that a poor subject asks of your majesties is, that your majesties would ask nothing of him." Give us sea room—that is what we would have you do, and it is what you must do—The door of a Lion's den cannot be held by a button.
What sub-type of article is it?
Trade Or Commerce
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Trade Restrictions
Free Commerce
Administration Policy
Sea Room
Economic Oppression
What entities or persons were involved?
Infatuated Administration
Wise Men Of The West
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Opposition To Restrictive Trade Policies
Stance / Tone
Strongly Anti Administration, Pro Free Commerce
Key Figures
Infatuated Administration
Wise Men Of The West
Key Arguments
No Substitute Needed For Inherently Bad Systems; Reverse Them Instead.
Commerce Is An Innocent Sufferer Unjustly Restrained.
Let Commerce Go Free To Earn An Honest Living.
Subjects Ask Only That Authorities Demand Nothing From Them.
Grant 'Sea Room' For Free Trade.
Restrictive Policies Cannot Be Sustained Like Holding A Lion's Den With A Button.