3269. FRIENDS, Political.—
Of one thing
I am certain, that they will not suffer personal
dissatisfactions to endanger the republican
cause. Their principles, I know, are
far above all private considerations. And
when we reflect that the eyes of the virtuous
all over the earth are turned with anxiety
on us, as the only depositories of the sacred
fire of liberty, and that our falling into anarchy
would decide forever the destinies of
mankind, and seal the political heresy that
man is incapable of self-government, the
only contest between divided friends should
be who will dare farthest into the ranks of
the common enemy.—
To John Hollins. Washington ed. v, 596.
(M.
1811)
