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Letter to Editor
January 31, 1818
Richmond Enquirer
Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
An anonymous letter defends Thomas Jefferson against sarcastic attacks by Mr. Giles, identified as the author of 'CONSTITUENT,' during a debate on public education. It criticizes Giles for personal digressions involving Jefferson, Monroe, and others, urging him to stick to the point to avoid weakening his arguments.
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FOR THE ENQUIRER.
It is melancholy, that such a man as Mr. Giles cannot abstain from sarcasms upon such a man as Mr. Jefferson; the friend and benefactor of the human race—I say Mr. Giles, for a Petersburg paper says it is no secret that he is the author of the CONSTITUENT.—It is melancholy, that in discussing a great abstract question, the propriety of public education, he should go so far out of his way, as to attack Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and others.—It is in vain, Mr. Giles tells me in his Explanatory Card, he meant no disrespect; he intended no sarcasms against Mr. Jefferson.—Credat Judaeus Appella! The irony which is exhibited in his two first Nos.; and to go no farther, his coupling Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Mitchell, together, as two of the greatest philosophers of the age, contradicts all his explanations, and shows a premeditated design to ridicule the character of a man, who is placed beyond his reach. Why this weakness on the part of Mr. Giles? Why does the sore and disappointed politician continually peep forth?—These out of the-way attacks, these forced episodes of political resentment, have no other effect than to weaken the force of his arguments, and expose their author to reluctant retaliation.
STICK TO THE POINT.
It is melancholy, that such a man as Mr. Giles cannot abstain from sarcasms upon such a man as Mr. Jefferson; the friend and benefactor of the human race—I say Mr. Giles, for a Petersburg paper says it is no secret that he is the author of the CONSTITUENT.—It is melancholy, that in discussing a great abstract question, the propriety of public education, he should go so far out of his way, as to attack Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and others.—It is in vain, Mr. Giles tells me in his Explanatory Card, he meant no disrespect; he intended no sarcasms against Mr. Jefferson.—Credat Judaeus Appella! The irony which is exhibited in his two first Nos.; and to go no farther, his coupling Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Mitchell, together, as two of the greatest philosophers of the age, contradicts all his explanations, and shows a premeditated design to ridicule the character of a man, who is placed beyond his reach. Why this weakness on the part of Mr. Giles? Why does the sore and disappointed politician continually peep forth?—These out of the-way attacks, these forced episodes of political resentment, have no other effect than to weaken the force of his arguments, and expose their author to reluctant retaliation.
STICK TO THE POINT.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Political
What themes does it cover?
Education
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Thomas Jefferson
Mr Giles
Public Education
Sarcasm
Political Resentment
Constituent
James Monroe
Dr Mitchell
What entities or persons were involved?
For The Enquirer
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
For The Enquirer
Main Argument
mr. giles' sarcastic attacks on thomas jefferson during a debate on public education are inappropriate and weaken his arguments; he should focus on the issue rather than personal political resentments.
Notable Details
References Petersburg Paper Identifying Giles As Author Of Constituent
Mentions Giles' Explanatory Card Denying Sarcasm
Quotes 'Credat Judaeus Appella!' To Express Disbelief
Cites Irony In Coupling Jefferson With Dr. Mitchell As Greatest Philosophers