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Letter to Editor
April 26, 1836
State Journal
Montpelier, Washington County, Vermont
What is this article about?
An elderly antimason from Caledonia County regrets the division and slanderous attacks within the antimason party, particularly by journalists supporting Van Buren for president. He advocates for civil treatment of differing opinions and highlighting candidates' positive qualities instead of reviling opponents.
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Full Text
HEAR AN AGED VETERAN!
The following communication comes to us from a venerable democrat of Caledonia County, whose locks are whitened by the frosts of seventy winters:
For the State Journal.
Mr. Editor: I regret the impolitic division of the antimasons in this State.—Surely some evil spirit must have entered in among them. And I am sorry to find that this evil spirit has induced some of our journalists to wheel to the left, and to commence a most virulent attack upon their old friends. If they must differ, why not treat old friends with civility, and not try to blacken, and revile, and slander them? It is disgusting to read the slang that is bandied about in our public papers. And it is horrible to think that the professed disciples of Christ should be influenced by a spirit so unlike the spirit of the gospel. Is this the way they obey the command to love one another? How must infidels glory in their shame!
I suppose that no man of information thinks Mr. Van Buren is now, or ever was, an antimason. Why then should antimasons be so engaged to have him for our next President? Who, or what has bewitched them? But supposing they honestly believe that he will do better for the nation, than any other man, why need they denounce and revile, and slander every one that may differ in opinion from them? Such conduct is base, and ill becomes a good cause.
If Mr. Van Buren is worthy of being elevated to the Presidency, he must be capable, must be honest, must have done something to establish a good character. Let his friends search out all his good qualities all his high talents, and his useful, generous and noble acts, and publish them upon the housetop. Let them blazon all his excellencies, and place him before the public in his true character. Then every one can judge respecting his qualifications, and give, or withhold, his vote accordingly. But it would seem that Mr. Van Buren's friends thought it much easier to revile and slander others, than to show the real excellencies of their favorite. I must tell them however, that such arguments bring no conviction to my mind. I distrust the cause in which they are employed. I distrust the honesty of those who employ them. And I shall not be induced to give my vote for a man who has no higher recommendations in his favor
AN OLD ANTIMASON.
The following communication comes to us from a venerable democrat of Caledonia County, whose locks are whitened by the frosts of seventy winters:
For the State Journal.
Mr. Editor: I regret the impolitic division of the antimasons in this State.—Surely some evil spirit must have entered in among them. And I am sorry to find that this evil spirit has induced some of our journalists to wheel to the left, and to commence a most virulent attack upon their old friends. If they must differ, why not treat old friends with civility, and not try to blacken, and revile, and slander them? It is disgusting to read the slang that is bandied about in our public papers. And it is horrible to think that the professed disciples of Christ should be influenced by a spirit so unlike the spirit of the gospel. Is this the way they obey the command to love one another? How must infidels glory in their shame!
I suppose that no man of information thinks Mr. Van Buren is now, or ever was, an antimason. Why then should antimasons be so engaged to have him for our next President? Who, or what has bewitched them? But supposing they honestly believe that he will do better for the nation, than any other man, why need they denounce and revile, and slander every one that may differ in opinion from them? Such conduct is base, and ill becomes a good cause.
If Mr. Van Buren is worthy of being elevated to the Presidency, he must be capable, must be honest, must have done something to establish a good character. Let his friends search out all his good qualities all his high talents, and his useful, generous and noble acts, and publish them upon the housetop. Let them blazon all his excellencies, and place him before the public in his true character. Then every one can judge respecting his qualifications, and give, or withhold, his vote accordingly. But it would seem that Mr. Van Buren's friends thought it much easier to revile and slander others, than to show the real excellencies of their favorite. I must tell them however, that such arguments bring no conviction to my mind. I distrust the cause in which they are employed. I distrust the honesty of those who employ them. And I shall not be induced to give my vote for a man who has no higher recommendations in his favor
AN OLD ANTIMASON.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
Ethical Moral
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Antimason Division
Van Buren Presidency
Political Slander
Christian Civility
Election Discourse
Party Unity
What entities or persons were involved?
An Old Antimason
Mr. Editor
Letter to Editor Details
Author
An Old Antimason
Recipient
Mr. Editor
Main Argument
the writer regrets the division among antimasons and criticizes the slanderous attacks by van buren supporters on opponents, urging civil discourse, adherence to christian principles, and promotion of candidates' positive qualities rather than reviling others.
Notable Details
Venerable Democrat Of Caledonia County Aged Seventy Winters
Evil Spirit Influencing Journalists
Disciples Of Christ Acting Unlike The Gospel
Infidels Glorying In Their Shame
Distrust Of Cause Using Slander