But it would have been worth any statesman’s money to have heard the profound discussions that sometimes took place, when by chance an old newspaper fell into their hands from some passing traveler.

what is ironic about irving’s description of rip van winkle and his friends in the passage?

the men aren’t really politically knowledgeable.
there were no newspapers during this period.
the men never talked to one another.
the men never talked to travelers.