Is the necessity now urgent, to declare that no non-resident of his
district shall be eligible as a member of Congress? It seems to me that,
in practice, the partialities of the people are a sufficient security
against such an election; and that if, in any instance, they should
ever choose a non-resident, it must be in one of such eminent merit and
qualifications, as would make it a good, rather than an evil; and that,
in any event, the examples will be so rare, as never to amount to a
serious evil. If the case then be neither clear nor urgent, would it not
be better to let it lie undisturbed? Perhaps its decision may never
be called for. But if it be indispensable to establish this
disqualification now, would it not look better to declare such others,
at the same time, as may be proper? I frankly confide to yourself these
opinions, or rather no-opinions, of mine; but would not wish to have
them go any farther. I want to be quiet: and although some circumstances
now and then excite me to notice them, I feel safe, and happier in
leaving events to those whose turn it is to take care of them; and, in
general, to let it be understood, that I meddle little or not at all
with public affairs. There are two subjects, indeed, which I shall claim
a right to further as long as I breathe, the public education and the
subdivision of the counties into wards. I consider the continuance of
republican government as absolutely hanging on these two hooks.
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