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Editorial
October 5, 1811
Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial from The Portland Gazette contrasts biblical figures David (humble, virtuous leader) and Absalom (ambitious demagogue) to condemn modern unprincipled office-seekers who pursue power through intrigue, flattery, and character assassination, urging self-reflection.
Merged-components note: Continuation of 'THE CONTRAST' piece, originally labeled as story but fitting editorial as an opinionated commentary signed 'No Office Seeker'.
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From The Portland Gazette.
THE CONTRAST
"My heart is not haughty; nor mine eyes
lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great
matters, or in things too high for me."
DAVID.
"Oh, that I were made judge in the land,
that every man who hath any suit or cause,
might come unto ME, and I would do him
justice!"
ABSALOM.
How striking the contrast between the two
characters! In the one, we behold the modest,
unassuming; yet brave, discreet, and virtu-
ous man-with every requisite to govern,
glowing with patriotism, and unrivalled in
arms, professing his humility, and unconcern-
edness about worldly distinctions or high
things.
In the other, though destitute of every
needful qualification as a public man, or
leader, we view the daring, aspiring, ambi-
tious, intriguing demagogue, grasping after
preferment, and lusting after power, who
would not have scrupled to imbrue his hands
in a father's blood, and involve a whole king-
dom in confusion, distress, and bloodshed,
for the imaginary pleasure of reigning. The
fact was, he was seeking an office. It is said,
"he stole the hearts of the people:" For
"when any man came
nigh to him to do him
obeisance, he put forth his hands and took
him, and kissed him," How fascinating the
address! how strong
the professions of this
aspiring upstart! and how flattering the ap-
parent success of his first attempts. But his
hope, was that of the hypocrite—like the spider's web, spun out of his own bowels.
Alas! how many Absaloms, there are at the present day! How many inexperienced, unprincipled men, devoid of talents and understanding, and destitute of every great and noble quality of the mind; and without the fear of God before their eyes; may be seen, or heard of, in every direction, anxiously engaged in the pursuit of power, and scrambling after those favors, in the power of the people to bestow; even by attempting to supplant those,
"With some of whom compar'd, these insect tribes,
Are but the beings of a summer's day."
Yea, some of them have the hardihood and consummate impudence, even to pretend to have changed their political opinions, &c. whenever vacancies in office excite their avarice, and dictate this unmanly policy, without any other assigned cause. They will even almost commit robbery and murder, for the sake of self-aggrandizement. Yea, they do rob men of their legitimate rights; and murder them, in the destruction of their character; for they "filch their good name," which Shakespeare considers the worst species of robbery.
When they have attained the object of their intrigue, the acquisition of office, how do they appear? They resemble a child in a great chair!—unable to fill it.
Office-seekers! demagogues! Compare your own abilities, pretensions, and practices, with the two characters first named—draw a just parallel, and learn a lesson of instruction! Keep in sight the end of both. The one was brought to the grave in a good old age, like a shock of corn fully ripe. The other was Haman like, miserably hanged; and his very beast assisted in his execution!
No Office Seeker.
THE CONTRAST
"My heart is not haughty; nor mine eyes
lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great
matters, or in things too high for me."
DAVID.
"Oh, that I were made judge in the land,
that every man who hath any suit or cause,
might come unto ME, and I would do him
justice!"
ABSALOM.
How striking the contrast between the two
characters! In the one, we behold the modest,
unassuming; yet brave, discreet, and virtu-
ous man-with every requisite to govern,
glowing with patriotism, and unrivalled in
arms, professing his humility, and unconcern-
edness about worldly distinctions or high
things.
In the other, though destitute of every
needful qualification as a public man, or
leader, we view the daring, aspiring, ambi-
tious, intriguing demagogue, grasping after
preferment, and lusting after power, who
would not have scrupled to imbrue his hands
in a father's blood, and involve a whole king-
dom in confusion, distress, and bloodshed,
for the imaginary pleasure of reigning. The
fact was, he was seeking an office. It is said,
"he stole the hearts of the people:" For
"when any man came
nigh to him to do him
obeisance, he put forth his hands and took
him, and kissed him," How fascinating the
address! how strong
the professions of this
aspiring upstart! and how flattering the ap-
parent success of his first attempts. But his
hope, was that of the hypocrite—like the spider's web, spun out of his own bowels.
Alas! how many Absaloms, there are at the present day! How many inexperienced, unprincipled men, devoid of talents and understanding, and destitute of every great and noble quality of the mind; and without the fear of God before their eyes; may be seen, or heard of, in every direction, anxiously engaged in the pursuit of power, and scrambling after those favors, in the power of the people to bestow; even by attempting to supplant those,
"With some of whom compar'd, these insect tribes,
Are but the beings of a summer's day."
Yea, some of them have the hardihood and consummate impudence, even to pretend to have changed their political opinions, &c. whenever vacancies in office excite their avarice, and dictate this unmanly policy, without any other assigned cause. They will even almost commit robbery and murder, for the sake of self-aggrandizement. Yea, they do rob men of their legitimate rights; and murder them, in the destruction of their character; for they "filch their good name," which Shakespeare considers the worst species of robbery.
When they have attained the object of their intrigue, the acquisition of office, how do they appear? They resemble a child in a great chair!—unable to fill it.
Office-seekers! demagogues! Compare your own abilities, pretensions, and practices, with the two characters first named—draw a just parallel, and learn a lesson of instruction! Keep in sight the end of both. The one was brought to the grave in a good old age, like a shock of corn fully ripe. The other was Haman like, miserably hanged; and his very beast assisted in his execution!
No Office Seeker.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Office Seekers
Demagogues
Political Ambition
Biblical Contrast
Moral Hypocrisy
Character Assassination
What entities or persons were involved?
David
Absalom
Office Seekers
Demagogues
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Contrast Between Humble David And Ambitious Absalom Applied To Office Seekers
Stance / Tone
Moral Condemnation Of Demagogues And Unprincipled Politicians
Key Figures
David
Absalom
Office Seekers
Demagogues
Key Arguments
David Exemplifies Humility, Virtue, And True Leadership
Absalom Represents Ambitious Intrigue And Moral Corruption In Pursuit Of Power
Modern Politicians Mimic Absalom By Flattering And Deceiving To Gain Office
Such Seekers Lack Qualifications And Harm Society Through Character Assassination
They Fail To Fill Offices They Attain, Like A Child In A Great Chair
Urges Office Seekers To Reflect On Biblical Examples And Their Fates