"I am sorry the person recommended has not been agreeable to all the republicans, but I am more concerned to see in this disapprobation a germ of division which, if not smothered, will continue you under that rule from which union is relieving our fellow citizens in other states. It is disheartening to see, on the approaching crisis of election, a division of that description of Republicans, which has certainly no strength to spare. But, my dear friend, if we do not learn to sacrifice small differences of opinion, we can never act together. Every man cannot have his way in all things. If his own opinion prevails at some times, he should acquiesce on seeing that of others preponderate at others. Without this mutual disposition we are disjointed individuals, but not a society. My position is painful enough between federalists who cry out on the first touch of their monopoly, and republicans who clamor for universal removal. A subdivision of the latter will increase the perplexity. I am proceeding with deliberation and inquiry to do what I think just to both descriptions and conciliatory to both. The greatest good we can do our country is to heal it’s party divisions & make them one people. I do not speak of their leaders who are incurable, but of the honest and well-intentioned body of the people. I consider the pure federalist as a republican who would prefer a somewhat stronger executive; and the republican as one more willing to trust the legislature as a broader representation of the people, and a safer deposit of power for many reasons. But both sects are republican, entitled to the confidence of their fellow citizens. Not so their quondam leaders, covering under the mask of federalism hearts devoted to monarchy. The Hamiltonians, the Essex-men, the revolutionary tories &c. They have a right to tolerance, but neither to confidence nor power. It is very important that the pure federalist and republican should see in the opinion of each other but a shade of his own, which by a union of action will be lessened by one-half: that they should see & fear the monarchist as their common enemy, on whom they should keep their eyes, but keep off their hands."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Presidents of the United StatesUnitarians from the United StatesFounding Fathers of the United States of AmericaUnited States Secretaries of StatePoliticians from Virginia
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Thomas Jefferson
1743 – 1826
US-amerikanischer Politiker und der dritte Präsident der Vereinigten Staaten (1801–1809).
489 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Thomas Jefferson →
Related Quotes
"...the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence …"
"It is agreed by those who have seriously considered the subject, that no individual has, of natural right, a separate…"
"Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry."
"The law books abound with similar instances of the care the judges take of the public integrity, Laws, moreover, abri…"
"Widespread poverty and concentrated wealth cannot long endure side by side in a democracy"
"I have ever deemed it more honorable and profitable, too, to set a good example than to follow a bad one."
"Let the eye of vigilance never be closed."
"Some of my finest hours have been spent on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see."
"The incorporation of a bank and the powers assumed [by legislation doing so] have not, in my opinion, been delegated …"
"It is not by the consolidation or concentration, of powers, but by their distribution that good government is effected."