In the year 1795, America was deeply engrossed in political conflict, the first presidential term of George Washington was wrapping up, and the Philadelphia newspaper, Aurora General Advertiser, was at the forefront of dissent against the prevailing Federalist government.
The Aurora, founded by Benjamin Franklin Bache, the grandson of Benjamin Franklin, became a prominent voice for the Jeffersonian ideals associated with Thomas Jefferson and his Democratic-Republican Party.
This newspaper was relentless in its criticism of President Washington, and his successor, John Adams, and their fellow Federalists.
The Federalists, founded by Alexander Hamilton, represented wealthy merchants, landowners, and bankers who favored a strong central government, while the Democratic-Republicans supported state sovereignty, agrarian economy, and individual rights, inspired by strict adherence to the Constitution.
As early as 1791, Bache’s paper began to express skepticism about the growing power of the Washington administration, fearing tendencies toward monarchy.
By Washington’s second term, Bache leveled allegations against him and the Federalist leadership, instigating fierce confrontations.
Among various accusations, Bache engaged in the publication of forged letters that purported to reveal Washington’s self-serving motives behind his military commission, and he also criticized Washington’s ownership of slaves, stating that a man advocating for liberty should not hold others in bondage.
The Aurora reached a heightened level of controversy when it claimed that Washington had violated the Constitution through excessive salary payments.
In October 1795, a letter in the paper attributed to “A Calm Observer” accused Washington and the Comptroller of the Treasury, Oliver Wolcott, of unconstitutional actions regarding salary payments exceeding Congress’s allocation.
This sparked a back-and-forth exchange between the newspaper and Wolcott, who defended the payments as unnecessary but admitted their occurrence.
The allegations caught national attention, although the uproar eventually dissipated.
Washington himself viewed Bache’s articles as ‘outrages on common decency’, indicating his frustration with the relentless slander directed at him.
Firm in his resolve to serve public duty devoid of attacks from ‘infamous scribblers,’ Washington expressed his dissatisfaction writing to both Wolcott and Timothy Pickering about Bache’s relentless criticism.
In an era defined by burgeoning political parties, the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 exacerbated tensions between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
Passed by Federalist majorities and signed into law by President John Adams, these acts sought to suppress dissent and were purportedly designed for national security during looming threats posed by France.
The Sedition Act specifically criminalized criticism of the government, creating a chilling effect on freedom of speech and press, while the Naturalization Act sought to limit the citizenship of immigrants who were likely to vote against Federalists.
The Alien Acts allowed the expulsion of non-citizens deemed dangerous.
Most notably, the Sedition Act restricted the freedom of the press, leading to the prosecution of enemy editors supporting Jeffersonian views.
Despite the potential legal consequences, actions targeting Bache and his publication continued, most notably after he published a piece supporting France amidst diplomatic tensions.
Bache was arrested in June 1798 under charges of libeling the President and the Executive Government, which occurred before the Sedition Act was officially enacted.
Bail was set at a staggering $4,000, but before he could stand trial, Bache succumbed to a yellow fever outbreak sweeping through Philadelphia.
Following Bache’s death, rumors swirled regarding Federalist efforts to silence the Aurora entirely, but his widow, Margaret, along with William Duane, continued to publish the newspaper.
William Duane took up the mantle in defiance of Federalist hostility, facing arrest himself in 1799 due to his writings suggesting undue British influence within the American government.
In the lead-up to the contentious 1800 elections, Federalists sought to pass a dubious bill aiming to disenfranchise Jefferson’s electors.
Details about the bill were leaked to Duane, who promptly published information regarding the Federalist attempts to manipulate electoral outcomes, consequently drawing the ire of Senate members.
In an unprecedented move, a Committee on Privileges was quickly created, summoning Duane to answer for the material he published deemed scandalous by Federalists.
Fearing arrest for contempt, Duane was forced into hiding until Congress adjourned, and the proposed legislation ultimately failed.
The Federalist era came to an end with Thomas Jefferson’s election in 1800.
After taking office, Jefferson promptly dismissed any federal case against Duane, further validating the shift in political power.
Throughout these tumultuous times, the Aurora and its editors faced domestic violence, whether it be assaults on Bache or Duane’s brutal attacks at the hands of Federalist sympathizers.
The paper itself suffered from vandalism and intimidation, reflecting the increasing dangers faced by those determined to uphold and express opposing political perspectives.
The Aurora emerged as a key platform of resistance against perceived pro-British biases in the administrations of Washington and Adams, gaining considerable popularity among those aligned with Democratic-Republican views.
Historically viewed through the lens of reverence, Washington has been long celebrated as a foundational figure within American democracy.
In striking contrast, Bache faced a complicated legacy, with historical attention growing in recent years as he is recognized as an early advocate for press freedom and democratic ideals.
The Aurora, with its significant subscriber base and its command of public discourse, played a pivotal role in shaping the early American media landscape and its relationship with the government.
In Bache’s own words from the first issue of the General Advertiser, he proclaimed that the freedom of the press is foundational to liberty, asserting that national prosperity is intertwined with the enlightenment of its citizens.
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