On Intelligent Discourse

George Washington acknowledged that differences in political opinions are unavoidable and even necessary, but he expressed deep regret when “subjects cannot be discussed with temper”. He warned that without “charity in deciding on the opinions, & actions of one another,” managing the government would be difficult, if not impracticable. To maintain harmony, Washington pleaded for “liberal allowances,” “mutual forbearances,” and “temporising yieldings on all sides” to replace “wounding suspicions, and irritable charges”. In his Farewell Address, he further cautioned that the “spirit of Party” constantly distracts public councils and “agitates the Community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms”.

Thomas Jefferson viewed the “animation of discusions” as a natural byproduct of a society where people “think freely, and to speak and to write what they think”. He reminded his fellow citizens that “every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle,” warning that “political intolerance” could be as despotic, wicked, and bloody as religious intolerance. Jefferson believed that intelligent discourse and the “fair operation of attack and defence” within a free press were essential, declaring that “Nature has given to man no other means of sifting out the truth either in religion, law, or politics”.

John Adams also respected the right to hold differing viewpoints, writing to Jefferson that “You and Mr Madison had as good a right to your Opinions as I had to mine”. However, Adams drew a sharp line between genuine discourse and partisan vitriol. He argued that it was a “great Abuse of Words” to elevate the writings of inflammatory pamphleteers and the speeches of fierce critics to the level of “Public Discussions,” stating that they instead merited the character of “The Ravings and Rantings of Bedlam”.

Alexander Hamilton similarly recognized the importance of civility and presentation in public affairs, advising that “a kindness consists as much in the manner as in the thing” and that even the best actions performed “with an ill grace lose their effect”.

With gambling passing reading as a popular pastime in America, intelligent discourse is on the ‘endangered species’ list…