The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
UNITY / EASTERN PARTIES
In our last conversation you mentioned a federal scheme afloat, of
forming a coalition between the federalists and republicans, of what
they called the seven eastern States. The idea was new to me, and
after time for reflection I had no opportunity of conversing with you
again. The federalists know, that,
eo nominee, they are gone forever. Their object, therefore,
is, how to return into power under some other form. Undoubtedly they
have but one means, which is to divide the republicans, join the
minority, and barter with them for the cloak of their name. I say,
join the minority; because the majority of the republicans not
needing them, will not buy them. The minority, having no other means
of ruling the majority, will give a price for auxiliaries, and that
price must be principle. It is true that the federalists, needing
their numbers also, must also give a price, and principle is the coin
they must pay in. Thus a bastard system of federo-republicamism will
rise on the ruins of the true principles of our revolution. And when
this party is formed, who will constitute the majority of it, which
majority is then to dictate? Certainly the federalists. Thus their
proposition of putting themselves into gear with the republican
minority, is exactly like Roger Sherman's proposition to add
Connecticut to Rhode Island. I cannot believe any portion of real
republicans will enter into this trap; and if they do, I do not
believe they can carry with them the mass of their States, advancing
so steadily as we see them, to an union of principle with their
brethren. It will be found in this, as in all other similar cases,
that crooked schemes will end by overwhelming their authors and
coadjutors in disgrace, and that he alone who walks strict and
upright, and who, in matters of opinion, will be contented that others
should be as free as himself, and acquiesce when his opinion is fairly
overruled, will attain his object in the end.
to Gideon Granger, 16 April 1804
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