"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.": Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd
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Saturday, August 02, 2008
Quote of the Day
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3 comments:
Yes, the revolutionary Jefferson in France was quite the firebrand. Of course this was before we were set up with our constitution establishing our government with our legislative, judicial and executive branches. After that, a more mature Jefferson, at least to my knowledge, didn’t espouse such dangerous rhetoric. I shouldn’t really say espoused; as you noted, this quote came from a private letter, not public address or book meant for public consumption. I think that in private correspondence and conversation, EVERY sane person in the world says things they wouldn’t necessarily say in public. However, if you really want some very shocking public statements from Jefferson that are totally legitimate targets because they were written with intent for the public to read, one has to go no further than his book written about the same time as the letter you referred to in your post:
(Notes on the State of Virginia) I have a copy, if you would like to borrow it, just send me an address where I can mail it. Despite our differences, I have no doubt that you are an honest person and would return it:-)
As a Jefferson fan, it is appalling to read parts of this book, and lends legitimacy to the “Hypocrite” portion of Hamilton’s loathe endorsement below.
Hamilton, was probably correct when he, after 35 ballots, decided to give the presidency to his arch-enemy, Jefferson, over Burr with this backhanded endorsement to Federalists, “It is too late for me to become a Jefferson apologist, nor do I have any disposition to do so. I admit that his politics are tinctured with fanaticism, that he is too much in earnest with his republicanism…….. that he is a contemptible hypocrite. It is not true as is alleged that he is an enemy to the power of the executive, or that he is for confounding all the power of the House of Rs.”
This, along with a plea against Burr, gave the presidency to his most bitter enemy. I have to admire Hamilton for being able to put personal hatred aside for the good of the nation.
(Hamilton’s plea against Burr to Federalists that gave Jefferson the presidency): “Burr, as President, would disgrace our Country abroad. No agreement with him could be agreed upon….His ambition aims at nothing short of permanent power and wealth for his own person. For Heaven’s sake let not the Federal party be responsible of this man!”
Thomas Augustus Littleton
Littleton:
Blow it out your ass.
Bosshogg,
Not much reason there, piggy! What, you don't like or understand facts?
Thomas Augustus Littleton
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