2245. DISSENSION, Evils of Political.—
Political dissension is doubtless a less evil than the lethargy of despotism, but still it is
a great evil, and it would be as worthy the
efforts of the patriot as of the philosopher, to
exclude its influence, if possible, from social
life. The good are rare enough at best.
There is no reason to subdivide them by
artificial lines. But whether we shall ever be
able so far to perfect the principles of society,
as that political opinions shall, in its intercourse,
be as inoffensive as those of philosophy,
mechanics, or any other, may well be
doubted.—
To Thomas Pinckney. Washington ed. iv, 176.
Ford ed., vii, 128.
(Pa.,
1797)
See Social Intercourse.
