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Letter to Editor
March 6, 1804
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A Whig of '75 urges New Hampshire citizens to reject Federalists, portrayed as Tories opposed to republican government and betrayers of Washington's legacy, and to elect Republicans in the 1804 state elections, providing a ticket led by John Langdon for governor.
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To the Citizens of New-Hampshire
FRIENDS & BRETHREN,
YOU have been frequently addressed by those, who are of the number that seek your happiness, on the important subject of scrupulously attending to the choice of State Officers; in which duty you have hitherto manifested a criminal remissness, by dispensing with the greatest gift of Heaven—your Reason, (which ought always to be your guide)—and in lieu thereof have adopted the sophistical dogmas of artful and designing men. Insidious FRIENDS are the worst of foes; and such are those denominated Federalists; who, by assuming an appellation that was once precious, have so imposed on your credulity as to engross to themselves the most important offices in the State. It is a well known fact that those men are inimical to a Republican Government—they even avow them. Selves such in their late virulent publications, by ridiculing the term Democracy which is synonymous; both signifying a popular government—i.e.—a government of the people. They have the audacity at the same time to call themselves the disciples of WASHINGTON who se name they use as a cover for concealing their base designs, well knowing the unparalleled confidence you had in that late conspicuous character. So far from being the friends of Washington—they (the Tories) would have rejoiced in an opportunity of Sacrificing him at any period of our Revolution.—Washington FEDERALISTS!!! pretty fellows indeed—to claim the Hero of America for their STALKING-HORSE!—It is well that he is not on earth to be a witness to such a preposterous and presumptuous claim—as the exclusive Friend Patron of Tories!—He would be wretchedly mortified to find himself thus debased—after having performed so many glorious achievements, No, my friends, he would spurn at an idea so humiliating and degrading to his great Soul!—Those, who have apostatized from the principles of our glorious Revolution, and have assimilated themselves with Royalists—are the persons who the Tories have a just right and title to Deify;—such worthy characters as John Adams (the encomiast of that stupendous fabric—the British Constitution) and his Coadjutors;—who signalized themselves during the memorable Reign of Terror, & whose Royal Deeds are faithfully recorded, which may serve as Beacons, to warn you of your danger by steering clear of them and those who worship at their Shrine—as you would carefully avoid shoals and quick-sands when on a lee-shore. It is highly proper that you should know the wheat from the tares, that they be separated in due time. The Federal-Tories are weeds of the most pernicious kind, and require great circumspection that they be carefully weeded before the time of harvest, so that the baneful seed may be utterly destroyed, otherwise your land will be over-run with their noxious qualities—so as to require a continual breaking up—which would be attended with much labour and expense. But to waive further allegory; my friends and fellow-citizens! the evil so long complained of ought to be immediately remedied, and the means for which, you already have; nothing is lacking but a determined resolution to shake off the federal yoke before it becomes more oppressive. Such a resolution is worthy of FREE-MEN; and if you are not willing to continue the Dupes of a despicable junto for ever—Awake from your lethargy, & prepare for giving them their political quietus; which you will have an opportunity of effecting on Tuesday next, by punctually attending at the places of meeting assigned by your selectmen, for the purpose of electing State Officers where, you will give your suffrages for men who have remained firm to the principles of our Revolution, and who possess the requisite qualities to administer the government of the state agreeably to its Constitution—both as respects abilities and integrity—Such are the consistent Republicans, my friends, whose names constitute the: Ticket hereunto subjoined.
A WHIG of '75
Republican Ticket for 1804:
For Governor,
HON. JOHN LANGDON.
Councillors,
The Hon. Levi Bartlett, for the county of Rockingham.
Hon. Joseph Badger for Strafford.
Hon. Benj. Pierce for Hillsborough.
Hon. Nahum Parker for Cheshire.
Hon. Ezra Bartlett for Grafton.
SENATORS,
District No. I. Gen. Clement Storer.
No. 2. Nicholas Gilman, Esq.
No. 3. Col. William White.
No. 4. Timothy Dix, jun. Esq.
No. 5. Col. John Waldron.
No. 6. Nath'l Shannon, Esq.
No. 7. J. K. Smith, Esq.
No. 8. Robert Alcock, Esq.
No. 9. Col. Elisha Whitcomb.
No. Io. Gen. Amos Allen.
No. II. Capt. William White.
No. 12. Col. William Tarlton.
FRIENDS & BRETHREN,
YOU have been frequently addressed by those, who are of the number that seek your happiness, on the important subject of scrupulously attending to the choice of State Officers; in which duty you have hitherto manifested a criminal remissness, by dispensing with the greatest gift of Heaven—your Reason, (which ought always to be your guide)—and in lieu thereof have adopted the sophistical dogmas of artful and designing men. Insidious FRIENDS are the worst of foes; and such are those denominated Federalists; who, by assuming an appellation that was once precious, have so imposed on your credulity as to engross to themselves the most important offices in the State. It is a well known fact that those men are inimical to a Republican Government—they even avow them. Selves such in their late virulent publications, by ridiculing the term Democracy which is synonymous; both signifying a popular government—i.e.—a government of the people. They have the audacity at the same time to call themselves the disciples of WASHINGTON who se name they use as a cover for concealing their base designs, well knowing the unparalleled confidence you had in that late conspicuous character. So far from being the friends of Washington—they (the Tories) would have rejoiced in an opportunity of Sacrificing him at any period of our Revolution.—Washington FEDERALISTS!!! pretty fellows indeed—to claim the Hero of America for their STALKING-HORSE!—It is well that he is not on earth to be a witness to such a preposterous and presumptuous claim—as the exclusive Friend Patron of Tories!—He would be wretchedly mortified to find himself thus debased—after having performed so many glorious achievements, No, my friends, he would spurn at an idea so humiliating and degrading to his great Soul!—Those, who have apostatized from the principles of our glorious Revolution, and have assimilated themselves with Royalists—are the persons who the Tories have a just right and title to Deify;—such worthy characters as John Adams (the encomiast of that stupendous fabric—the British Constitution) and his Coadjutors;—who signalized themselves during the memorable Reign of Terror, & whose Royal Deeds are faithfully recorded, which may serve as Beacons, to warn you of your danger by steering clear of them and those who worship at their Shrine—as you would carefully avoid shoals and quick-sands when on a lee-shore. It is highly proper that you should know the wheat from the tares, that they be separated in due time. The Federal-Tories are weeds of the most pernicious kind, and require great circumspection that they be carefully weeded before the time of harvest, so that the baneful seed may be utterly destroyed, otherwise your land will be over-run with their noxious qualities—so as to require a continual breaking up—which would be attended with much labour and expense. But to waive further allegory; my friends and fellow-citizens! the evil so long complained of ought to be immediately remedied, and the means for which, you already have; nothing is lacking but a determined resolution to shake off the federal yoke before it becomes more oppressive. Such a resolution is worthy of FREE-MEN; and if you are not willing to continue the Dupes of a despicable junto for ever—Awake from your lethargy, & prepare for giving them their political quietus; which you will have an opportunity of effecting on Tuesday next, by punctually attending at the places of meeting assigned by your selectmen, for the purpose of electing State Officers where, you will give your suffrages for men who have remained firm to the principles of our Revolution, and who possess the requisite qualities to administer the government of the state agreeably to its Constitution—both as respects abilities and integrity—Such are the consistent Republicans, my friends, whose names constitute the: Ticket hereunto subjoined.
A WHIG of '75
Republican Ticket for 1804:
For Governor,
HON. JOHN LANGDON.
Councillors,
The Hon. Levi Bartlett, for the county of Rockingham.
Hon. Joseph Badger for Strafford.
Hon. Benj. Pierce for Hillsborough.
Hon. Nahum Parker for Cheshire.
Hon. Ezra Bartlett for Grafton.
SENATORS,
District No. I. Gen. Clement Storer.
No. 2. Nicholas Gilman, Esq.
No. 3. Col. William White.
No. 4. Timothy Dix, jun. Esq.
No. 5. Col. John Waldron.
No. 6. Nath'l Shannon, Esq.
No. 7. J. K. Smith, Esq.
No. 8. Robert Alcock, Esq.
No. 9. Col. Elisha Whitcomb.
No. Io. Gen. Amos Allen.
No. II. Capt. William White.
No. 12. Col. William Tarlton.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
Provocative
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Constitutional Rights
Morality
What keywords are associated?
New Hampshire Election
Republican Ticket
Federalists Tories
John Langdon
Washington Legacy
Revolutionary Principles
Political Awakening
What entities or persons were involved?
A Whig Of '75
To The Citizens Of New Hampshire
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Whig Of '75
Recipient
To The Citizens Of New Hampshire
Main Argument
new hampshire citizens must reject federalists, who are insidious tories opposed to republican government and misusing washington's name, and instead elect steadfast republicans like john langdon to uphold revolutionary principles in the upcoming state elections.
Notable Details
Criticizes Federalists As Tories Who Would Have Sacrificed Washington
References John Adams As Encomiast Of British Constitution
Uses Biblical Allegory Of Wheat And Tares For Separating True Republicans From Federalists
Urges Attendance At Election Meetings On Tuesday Next