Posted on 12/22/2012 9:08:39 AM PST by Publius
George Washington was opposed to the establishment of British-style political parties with every fiber of his being, and the factions in Congress and the Cabinet didn’t morph into actual organized parties until Washington’s body had been cold for – oh – at least a few hours. At the time of this essay, Washington was in the final days of his first term, and he was watching like a hawk for the spirit of Faction within his administration to prevent it from dividing his government. Jefferson and Hamilton had been forming factions and making trouble since the day the National Bank concept had been introduced, and Washington was weary of stroking those two gigantic egos. One would not have blamed His Excellency had he gone to the stable, procured the stoutest horsewhip and laid into the backsides of both men. In his second term, Jefferson and Hamilton would both leave the Cabinet.
At the time of this essay’s publication, the factions were just starting to learn how to debate each other and define the rules for political warfare. Anonymous articles were the rule to avoid being challenged to a duel. (By the way, I believe we should bring back dueling to settle political arguments and turn the New Jersey state park in Weehauken where Burr shot Hamilton into the National Dueling Grounds with ESPN and C-SPAN covering the events.) This essay is a good example of how political warfare was waged in the early days.
Today is also another anniversary. It was fifteen years today that I stopped lurking and signed up as FReeper #581. It’s good to be here.
A little Holiday Cheer for the Federalist & Anti-Federalist Papers ping list.
A little Holiday Cheer for the Federalist & Anti-Federalist Papers ping list.
A little Holiday Cheer for the “Atlas Shrugged” ping list.
A little Holiday Cheer for my good FRiends at the Canteen.
A little Holiday Cheer for my fellow FReeper writers.
Would that they were today.
A very Merry Christmas and FR Anniversary to you!
Excellent post and I thank you for the history and philosophy lessons! Other than language, that quote is as accurate and timely today as it was then. The fight for liberty never ends. It hurts to watch fellow Americans surrender so easily and give up something so valuable.
OUTSTANDING post, comment, FReeper BUMP! Happy anniversary and thanks for being here, Publius. An integral educator/historian and a rational voice in a free republic.
Merry Christmas to you and yours...and to all FReepers.
Thanks. Merry Christmas!
“...By the way, I believe we should bring back dueling to settle political arguments and turn the New Jersey state park in Weehauken where Burr shot Hamilton into the National Dueling Grounds with ESPN and C-SPAN covering the events...”
Oh, Publius - this would not work out right. Mainly because the Democrats, as a general rule, usually serve in the military and Republicans do not.
So the anti-Reublicans can shoot and the Rpublicans are looking for cover!
Hamilton snorted. “The people? They are stupid and licentious. A mob. Once they have established a government, they should think of obedience, leaving the care of their liberties to their betters.”
this seems to be the difference between The Tea Party and the Demoncrat/Rino party.
I told her to read the Federalist and Anti federalist papers as a start.
Anonymously? Not so.
In 1791, Jefferson and Madison needed an anti-administration newspaper for a nationwide audience. They sought out Philip Freneau, an old college friend of Madison's. The Virginians arranged financial backing, found ready subscribers and arranged a federal subsidy to help underwrite Freneau's attacks on the government via the National Gazette.
Freneau did not launch any attacks immediately. Instead, showing good business and political sense, he spent three months building a reputation for his paper as a fair and thorough purveyor of the news. Madison wrote a series of unsigned opinion pieces treating a variety of subjects in a dispassionate way.
His reputation established, Freneau published more of Madison. With each issue, the paper grew more extreme, repeating and building upon the theme that Hamilton aspired to establish monarchy, aristocracy, plutocracy and corruption.
But professor, you knew all of this right?
I hope you’re being sarcastic.
Actually, I didn’t. (I’m starting to think of Fox News.) Did Freneau’s readers know that Madison was writing this material?
Well, sort of sarcastic.
I’ve always been surprised how many Democrats in the House of Representatives served in the military compared to the paucity of Republicans who did so.
That sounds just like the business plan for Politico.
-PJ
FR’s finest. Where do these educators/historians/patriots come from? The attention to the details of the republic’s founding is mind-boggling.
May your families and friends have a blessed Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year. The education has been greatly appreciated. Thanks Jacquerie. Thanks Publius. Thanks to every contributor to their fantastic threads.
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