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.
“...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.
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?
bfl and MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thanks for posting...now I have MORE reading to do (Federal Papers book club)
You give me another reason to love President Washington. Thank you!
Thank you for the ping! What a great post. Merry Christmas and Happy FR Anniversary to you. You are truly the Publicator Magnus.
Greetings, and Merry Christmas! Thank you for all your contributions over the years, and for reminding us of this bit of Madison wisdom.
Sadly, the "progressive" movement, in its 20th and 21st Century determined quest for power, provides ample illustration of Madison's observation.
I very rarely visit this place these days but I’m VERY glad I did tonight!
Merry Christmas my FRiend! And keep the faith!
As always, your sense of identity with the minds and words of the founding generation serves as a reminder for each of us that the ideas of liberty are as refreshingly new and revolutionary in 2016 as they were in 1776 and 1787.
Today, the unenlightened minds of those who self-identify as "progressives" seem to prefer darkness to light and power for themselves over ordered liberty for themselves and their fellows.
Congratulations and good luck in your new projects, whatever they may be!
Nice. Thanks.
Enjoyed the post, as always.
My “betters?” Fu@k em. Let’s duel Alec...
5.56mm