The Atlantic Quotes
We are again compelled to interfere with our friend's license of personal description and criticism. Even Cabinet Ministers (to whom the next few pages of the articles were devoted) have their private immunities, which ought to be conscientiously observed
This quotation appeared in the middle of an 1862 article on the Civil War written by the great writer, Nathaniel Hawthorne. The article had been mailed to the Atlantic Monthly editors in New York from Washington. There were a number of pages of descriptions of specific Cabinet Members and other politicians, their understanding of the issues in the war, and a description of how they spent their time, At the time, it was common for partisan newspapers and magazines to attack politicians of the other party. But the Atlantic, only 5 years old then was a very rare American publication. It was totally non partisan, artistic and literary as well as concerned with current and political events. It only ran articles of serious, (some argued elite) writers. Hawthorn’s material on the politicians was not very complimentary and would have been regarded by them and their supporters as a political attack. So the editors deleted the material that referred negatively to individuals, Their apology was as much to the author, Hawthorne—“our friend”—as it was to the readers. At the time, the New York Times, also non partisan, refrained from serious negative material about politicians and celebrities. This quotation shows us the journalistic and literary standards of the “better” publications of the time. To this day, even when running negative articles about politicians and celebrities, these publications will never use the extreme and sensational language of the New York Daily News, the Chicago Tribune, the New York Post, the National Inquirer, and many other “tabloid” type publications.
Atlantic Monthly, Editorial Apology For It’s Editing Practice, “Chiefly About War Matters”, The Atlantic Monthly, July 1862
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
This quotation is often used to illustrate the change in attack and negative campaigning so often done by politicians whereas in the 1830s most politicians did not campaign that way. However at the time the newspapers were very closely associated with candidates and political parties—in some cases owned and controlled by them.
She has been both the most popular and the most criticized first lady in American History. She was the first lady for a longer period than any other as her husband was elected to 4 terms. Since he was crippled by polio and could not easily travel, she represented him and the nation at more events than any other First Lady. She was also very outspoken who areed with FDR on most issues but publicly differed on occasions. Further, she wrote more than any other First Lady, including a daily newspaper column, My Day, which appeared in many newspapers each day. This quotation came from one of her thousands of articles.
Most politicians and their families do not consider these as unimportant and many resent the endless intrusion into these aspects of life. Mrs. Roosevelt did so it was no problem for her—she even wrote about them in her daily newspaper column. All her family doings were completely open as were her political and administrative and professional activities. She welcomed press to accompany her anywhere whenever they wanted. Her view of her private domain was her private thoughts. This was a great attitude to have for a politicians, but it is rare.
Hoover was asked if he would take oral questions.
Referring to reporter, Sarah McClendon
to speak out on public issues.
The Atlantic is an American magazine and multi-platform publisher. It was founded in 1857 in Boston, Massachusetts, as The Atlantic Monthly, a literary and cultural magazine that published leading writers' commentary on education, the abolition of slavery, and other major political issues of that time. Its founders included Francis H. Underwood and prominent writers Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and John Greenleaf Whittier. James Russell Lowell was its first editor. It is known for publishing literary pieces by leading writers.
