Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
October 21, 1816
Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Satirical commentary mocking the caucus-controlled presidential election process for James Monroe, where public and even party members have no real say, likened to a rigged race.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
EXTRA
MONDAY, OCTOBER.
declare I was most sadly puzzled the whole of yesterday to find a head for a little paragraph which I was cogitating with reference to Mr. Monroe and our republican electoral ticket. A president is to be made thinks I: but what shall we call the process? Not an election! for the people have nothing to do with it, and the electors have nothing to with it. One half of the republicans and all the federalists are against the man; but the caucus have said "it shall be so," and it must be so. Well, it can't be called a struggle, for there is no difficulty in the contest; for there is no opposition; nor a thing-it is managed as nicely as clock work. Can we call it a choice? No! unless it be one of Hobson's, for it is "take him or none," At length I thought I had hit it! Ah ha! says I to myself, it is a Presidential race, in which all the subscribers but one, to the purse pay forfeit, and he wins by walking over the course. But, as I am not writing to any of our worthy rulers, I dropped the subject in despair; and for want of a caption held my peace.
It was somewhat singular, however, I thought, that a man should get to be president, without being approved of by his own side, after having forfeited the confidence of two administrations, and yet remembered that Maximin got to be emperor by trotting all day after the king's chariot-and made no more about the matter.
Raleigh, N. C. Minerva.
MONDAY, OCTOBER.
declare I was most sadly puzzled the whole of yesterday to find a head for a little paragraph which I was cogitating with reference to Mr. Monroe and our republican electoral ticket. A president is to be made thinks I: but what shall we call the process? Not an election! for the people have nothing to do with it, and the electors have nothing to with it. One half of the republicans and all the federalists are against the man; but the caucus have said "it shall be so," and it must be so. Well, it can't be called a struggle, for there is no difficulty in the contest; for there is no opposition; nor a thing-it is managed as nicely as clock work. Can we call it a choice? No! unless it be one of Hobson's, for it is "take him or none," At length I thought I had hit it! Ah ha! says I to myself, it is a Presidential race, in which all the subscribers but one, to the purse pay forfeit, and he wins by walking over the course. But, as I am not writing to any of our worthy rulers, I dropped the subject in despair; and for want of a caption held my peace.
It was somewhat singular, however, I thought, that a man should get to be president, without being approved of by his own side, after having forfeited the confidence of two administrations, and yet remembered that Maximin got to be emperor by trotting all day after the king's chariot-and made no more about the matter.
Raleigh, N. C. Minerva.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Presidential Election
Monroe
Caucus
Republicans
Federalists
Satire
Hobson Choice
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Monroe
Republicans
Federalists
Caucus
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Mockery Of Caucus Controlled Presidential Election For Monroe
Stance / Tone
Satirical Criticism Of Rigged Election Process
Key Figures
Mr. Monroe
Republicans
Federalists
Caucus
Key Arguments
Process Is Not A True Election As People And Electors Have No Role
Caucus Dictates Outcome Despite Opposition From Half Of Republicans And All Federalists
No Real Struggle Or Opposition; Managed Like Clockwork
Not A Choice But Hobson's Choice: Take Him Or None
Like A Presidential Race Where Winner Walks Over Unchallenged
Singular That Monroe Becomes President Without Party Approval After Losing Confidence Of Two Administrations