1290. CITIZENS, Dangerous.—
Every society
has a right to fix the fundamental
principles of its association, and to say to all
individuals, that, if they contemplate pursuits
beyond the limits of these principles, and involving
dangers which the society chooses to
avoid, they must go somewhere else for their
exercise; that we want no citizens, and still
less ephemeral and pseudo-citizens, on such
terms. We may exclude them from our territory,
as we do persons infected with disease.
We have most abundant resources of
happiness within ourselves, which we May
enjoy in peace and safety without permitting
a few citizens, infected with the mania of
rambling and gambling, to bring danger on
the great mass engaged in innocent and safe
pursuits at home.—
To William H. Crawford. Washington ed. i, 6.
Ford ed., x, 34.
(M.
1816)
