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Editorial
June 20, 1804
The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Editorial from The True American with rhetorical questions and answers criticizing Federalist newspapers for slandering officials' private lives, misrepresenting policies, and relying on abuse over facts, explaining Republican electoral successes as due to the inherent goodness of their cause versus Federalism's bad one.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
From THE TRUE AMERICAN.
Serious Questions, and true Answers.
Why do the Federal papers attack the private characters of men in office?
Because their public conduct is so wise and just as to be invulnerable; and a slander on private reputation is less likely to be refuted than one on public conduct; the latter being within the reach of every man, while the former can be known to comparatively but few.
Why do the Federal papers, in treating of public measures, resort to misrepresentation and falsehood?
Because if those measures were fairly and truly represented by them, every honest reader they have, would become a supporter of the administration.
Why do the Federal papers substitute assertions and abuse, for facts and arguments?
Because facts and arguments all make against them, and would, if used, effect their own destruction.
Why have the Federalists, possessing as they say they do all the Talents of the country, and employing as we know they do, every means in their power to carry their purposes, been defeated in almost every quarter of the Union by the illiterate and half witted democrats (as they contemptuously call the republicans)?
Because the cause of Federalism IS A BAD ONE, and all the talents in the Universe could not sustain it for any length of time among an enlightened people;-while the cause of republicanism IS A GOOD ONE, and truth, even without talents or learning, or in opposition to both, can support and prosper it.
PLAIN TRUTH.
Serious Questions, and true Answers.
Why do the Federal papers attack the private characters of men in office?
Because their public conduct is so wise and just as to be invulnerable; and a slander on private reputation is less likely to be refuted than one on public conduct; the latter being within the reach of every man, while the former can be known to comparatively but few.
Why do the Federal papers, in treating of public measures, resort to misrepresentation and falsehood?
Because if those measures were fairly and truly represented by them, every honest reader they have, would become a supporter of the administration.
Why do the Federal papers substitute assertions and abuse, for facts and arguments?
Because facts and arguments all make against them, and would, if used, effect their own destruction.
Why have the Federalists, possessing as they say they do all the Talents of the country, and employing as we know they do, every means in their power to carry their purposes, been defeated in almost every quarter of the Union by the illiterate and half witted democrats (as they contemptuously call the republicans)?
Because the cause of Federalism IS A BAD ONE, and all the talents in the Universe could not sustain it for any length of time among an enlightened people;-while the cause of republicanism IS A GOOD ONE, and truth, even without talents or learning, or in opposition to both, can support and prosper it.
PLAIN TRUTH.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Federalist Criticism
Press Misrepresentation
Republican Superiority
Partisan Slander
Political Arguments
What entities or persons were involved?
Federal Papers
Federalists
Republicans
Administration
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Federalist Press Tactics
Stance / Tone
Strongly Pro Republican And Anti Federalist
Key Figures
Federal Papers
Federalists
Republicans
Administration
Key Arguments
Federal Papers Attack Private Characters Because Public Conduct Is Invulnerable
Federal Papers Misrepresent Public Measures To Avoid Honest Readers Supporting The Administration
Federal Papers Use Assertions And Abuse Instead Of Facts And Arguments Because Facts Oppose Them
Federalists Defeated By Republicans Despite Talents Because Federalism Is A Bad Cause And Republicanism Is Good