Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Letter to Editor
November 15, 1822
The Virginian
Lynchburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
A Pittsfield resident shares Thomas Jefferson's complimentary letter responding to an oration by Maj. McVaugh, in which Jefferson discusses the salutary role of political parties as mutual censors but warns against their degeneration into personal antipathies that harm society and justice.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Pittsfield Sun
Mr. Jefferson's opinion of Parties.
A gentleman of this town forwarded to Mr. Jefferson, a short time since, from the high respect which he entertained for his character and eminent public services, one of Maj. McVaugh's Orations, delivered in this place on 4th of July last, without expecting any notice of its reception by him. Contrary to his expectation, however, he received, a few days since, the following complimentary letter thereon, a copy of which we have obtained for publication:--
“MONTICELLO, Sept. 5, 1822.
I thank you, Sir, for the copy of your Oration of the 4th of July, which you have been so kind as to send me, and I have noticed with satisfaction the observations on political parties. That such do exist in every country, and that in every free country they will make themselves heard, is a truth of all times. -I believe their existence to be salutary, inasmuch as they act as censors on each other, and keep the principles and practice of each constantly at the bar of public opinion. It is only when they give to party principles a predominance over the love of country, when they degenerate into personal antipathies, and affect the intercourse of society and friendship, or the justice due to honest opinion, that they become vicious and baneful to the general happiness and good. We have seen such again! May we hope never to see such days.
Accept the assurance of my respect.
THOMAS JEFFERSON."
Mr. Samuel M. Mc Kay.
Mr. Jefferson's opinion of Parties.
A gentleman of this town forwarded to Mr. Jefferson, a short time since, from the high respect which he entertained for his character and eminent public services, one of Maj. McVaugh's Orations, delivered in this place on 4th of July last, without expecting any notice of its reception by him. Contrary to his expectation, however, he received, a few days since, the following complimentary letter thereon, a copy of which we have obtained for publication:--
“MONTICELLO, Sept. 5, 1822.
I thank you, Sir, for the copy of your Oration of the 4th of July, which you have been so kind as to send me, and I have noticed with satisfaction the observations on political parties. That such do exist in every country, and that in every free country they will make themselves heard, is a truth of all times. -I believe their existence to be salutary, inasmuch as they act as censors on each other, and keep the principles and practice of each constantly at the bar of public opinion. It is only when they give to party principles a predominance over the love of country, when they degenerate into personal antipathies, and affect the intercourse of society and friendship, or the justice due to honest opinion, that they become vicious and baneful to the general happiness and good. We have seen such again! May we hope never to see such days.
Accept the assurance of my respect.
THOMAS JEFFERSON."
Mr. Samuel M. Mc Kay.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Political
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Thomas Jefferson
Political Parties
Oration
Monticello
Pittsfield Sun
Party Principles
Public Opinion
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Samuel M. Mc Kay
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Mr. Samuel M. Mc Kay
Main Argument
political parties exist in every country and are salutary as they censor each other and keep principles under public scrutiny, but become vicious when they prioritize party over country, leading to personal antipathies that harm society, friendship, and justice.
Notable Details
Jefferson's Letter Dated Sept. 5, 1822, From Monticello
Response To Maj. Mcvaugh's 4th Of July Oration
Expresses Hope To Avoid Past Days Of Partisan Excess