Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
November 30, 1798
Virginia Argus
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
A New York editorial urges republican newspaper printers to annually publish Thomas Jefferson's prophetic words from the Revolutionary War era, warning of future government corruption, careless populace, and the need to legally secure essential rights while rulers are honest and united.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
NEW YORK, November 15-
It should be a custom with the printers of republican newspapers in our country, to publish, at least once a year, the following prophetic remarks of Thomas Jefferson, Esq. written during our late struggle for independence. They display, in few words, the philosopher, the statesman, the patriot, and the man of penetration. The truth of them, we believe, will not be contested by even the advocates for infallibility and British influence.
"But is the spirit of the people an infallible, a permanent reliance? Is it government? Is this the kind of protection we receive in return for the rights we give up? Besides, the spirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people careless. A single zealot may commence persecutor, and better men be his victims. - It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest, and ourselves united. From the conclusion of this war, we shall be going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves, but in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effect a due respect for their rights. The shackles therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of this war, will remain on us long, will be made heavier and heavier, till our rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion."
It should be a custom with the printers of republican newspapers in our country, to publish, at least once a year, the following prophetic remarks of Thomas Jefferson, Esq. written during our late struggle for independence. They display, in few words, the philosopher, the statesman, the patriot, and the man of penetration. The truth of them, we believe, will not be contested by even the advocates for infallibility and British influence.
"But is the spirit of the people an infallible, a permanent reliance? Is it government? Is this the kind of protection we receive in return for the rights we give up? Besides, the spirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people careless. A single zealot may commence persecutor, and better men be his victims. - It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest, and ourselves united. From the conclusion of this war, we shall be going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves, but in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effect a due respect for their rights. The shackles therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of this war, will remain on us long, will be made heavier and heavier, till our rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion."
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Legal Reform
What keywords are associated?
Jefferson Remarks
Constitutional Rights
Government Corruption
American Independence
Legal Safeguards
What entities or persons were involved?
Thomas Jefferson
Printers Of Republican Newspapers
Advocates For Infallibility And British Influence
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Urgency Of Securing Constitutional Rights Post Independence
Stance / Tone
Prophetic Warning And Patriotic Exhortation
Key Figures
Thomas Jefferson
Printers Of Republican Newspapers
Advocates For Infallibility And British Influence
Key Arguments
Spirit Of The People Is Not Infallible Or Permanent Reliance For Government
Rulers Will Become Corrupt And People Careless Over Time
Secure Essential Rights Legally While Rulers Are Honest And People United
Post War, Rights Not Addressed Will Become Heavier Shackles Leading To Convulsion