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Editorial
August 19, 1816
Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Satirical piece from the New York Courier criticizing Democratic partisanship, portraying Democrats as always right and Federalists always wrong on issues like banking, navy, taxes, army, war, and treaties, likening public delusion to Sir Peter Teazle's bias toward Joseph Surface.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the New York Courier.
THE CONTRAST.
The doctrine is now fixed, that Democrats can do nothing wrong, and Federalists can do nothing right. Does a federalist vote for a small national bank? he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for a large national bank? he is right. Does a federalist vote for a navy he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for a navy? he is right. Does a federalist vote for light taxes? he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for heavy taxes he is right. Does a federalist vote for a small army he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for a large one? he is right. Does a federalist vote for a war? he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for it? he is right. Does a federalist make a good British treaty? he is wrong. Does a democrat make a bad treaty? he is right. And so on, to the end of the chapter.
Such is the blindness, the prejudice, the delusion, and the party spirit of this devoted people. Sir Peter Teazle would never give up Joseph Surface till he caught him almost in the act: because, "Joseph (said he) is a man of sentiment!" The people, like Sir Peter, may be deceived, cheated, abused by their Republican Darlings, ever so much, but it is all right. For these Darlings are really men of sentiment! One speech in favour of Liberty, Republicanism and the Constitution, will enable a demagogue, to be a cheat and a tyrant for years. The democratic leader can do no wrong—for they are men of sentiment!
THE CONTRAST.
The doctrine is now fixed, that Democrats can do nothing wrong, and Federalists can do nothing right. Does a federalist vote for a small national bank? he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for a large national bank? he is right. Does a federalist vote for a navy he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for a navy? he is right. Does a federalist vote for light taxes? he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for heavy taxes he is right. Does a federalist vote for a small army he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for a large one? he is right. Does a federalist vote for a war? he is wrong. Does a democrat vote for it? he is right. Does a federalist make a good British treaty? he is wrong. Does a democrat make a bad treaty? he is right. And so on, to the end of the chapter.
Such is the blindness, the prejudice, the delusion, and the party spirit of this devoted people. Sir Peter Teazle would never give up Joseph Surface till he caught him almost in the act: because, "Joseph (said he) is a man of sentiment!" The people, like Sir Peter, may be deceived, cheated, abused by their Republican Darlings, ever so much, but it is all right. For these Darlings are really men of sentiment! One speech in favour of Liberty, Republicanism and the Constitution, will enable a demagogue, to be a cheat and a tyrant for years. The democratic leader can do no wrong—for they are men of sentiment!
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Satire
What keywords are associated?
Partisan Bias
Democrats Federalists
Political Satire
Party Delusion
Men Of Sentiment
What entities or persons were involved?
Democrats
Federalists
Sir Peter Teazle
Joseph Surface
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Contrast Between Democratic And Federalist Actions
Stance / Tone
Satirical Criticism Of Democratic Partisanship
Key Figures
Democrats
Federalists
Sir Peter Teazle
Joseph Surface
Key Arguments
Democrats Can Do Nothing Wrong While Federalists Can Do Nothing Right
Examples Include Votes On National Bank Size, Navy, Light Vs Heavy Taxes, Small Vs Large Army, War, And British Treaties
Public Delusion Stems From Viewing Democrats As Men Of Sentiment
One Pro Liberty Speech Allows Demagogues To Act As Cheats And Tyrants