On the question, what is the best provision, you and I
differ; but we differ as rational friends, using the free exercise of
our own reason, and mutually indulging its errors. You think it best
to put the pseudo-aristoi into a separate chamber of legislation, where
they may be hindered from doing mischief by their co-ordinate branches,
and where, also, they may be a protection to wealth against the Agrarian
and plundering enterprises of the majority of the people. I think that
to give them power in order to prevent them from doing mischief, is
arming them for it, and increasing instead of remedying the evil. For
if the co-ordinate branches can arrest their action, so may they that of
the co-ordinates. Mischief may be done negatively as well as positively.
Of this, a cabal in the Senate of the United States has furnished many
proofs. Nor do I believe them necessary to protect the wealthy;
because enough of these will find their way into every branch of the
legislation, to protect themselves. From fifteen to twenty legislatures
of our own, in action for thirty years past, have proved that no fears
of an equalization of property are to be apprehended from them. I think
the best remedy is exactly that provided by all our constitutions, to
leave to the citizens the free election and separation of the _aristoi_
from the _pseudo-aristoi_, of the wheat from the chaff. In general,
they will elect the really good and wise.
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