Connors, Maureen E.2008-08-14NO_RESTRIC2008-08-142008-08-14https://hdl.handle.net/1920/3224This thesis serves as an examination of the debates which took place in the public discourse during the First Federal Congress (1789-1791), by examining public opinion articles written in newspapers. The authors’ use of the classics reveals a sense of knowledge of the classical idiom among those participating in the public discourse. Issues discussed included location of the national capital, public funding, Indian treaties, and slavery. In each case, the classical idiom played an important part in the debate. This thesis is meant to convey a slice of the ideological motivations in the public discourse and in turn, demonstrate how inclusive or exclusive the scope of public opinion was among the larger population.en-USUnited States--HistoryClassical antiquityRepublicanismFirst Federal CongressPrinting – United States – 18th CenturyPolitical Culture – 18th CenturyThesis