Let us look
forward, then, to the act of repentance, which, by dismissing her
venal traitors, shall be the signal of return to the bosom and to the
principles of her brethren; and if her late humiliation can just give
her modesty enough to suppose that her southern brethren are somewhat on
a par with her in wisdom, in information, in patriotism, in bravery,
and even in honesty, although not in psalm-singing, she will more
justly estimate her own relative momentum in the Union. With her ancient
principles, she would really be great, if she did not think herself the
whole. I should be pleased to hear that you go into her councils,
and assist in bringing her back to those principles, and to a sober
satisfaction with her proportionable share in the direction of our
affairs.
Be so good as to lay my homage at the feet of Mrs. Dearborn, and to be
assured that I am ever and affectionately yours.
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER CXXV.--TO THE PRESIDENT, March 23,1815
TO THE PRESIDENT.
Monticello, March 23,1815.
Deak Sir,
I duly received your favor of the 12th, and with it the pamphlet on the
causes and conduct of the war, which I now return. I have read it
with great pleasure, but with irresistible desire that it should be
published. The reasons in favor of this are strong, and those against it
are so easily gotten over, that there appears to me no balance between
them. 1. We need it in Europe.
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