4920. MADISON (James), Opposition to.—
With respect to the opposition threatened,
although it may give some pain, no injury
of consequence is to be apprehended. Duane
flying off from the government, may, for a
little while, throw confusion into our ranks as
John Randolph did. But, after a moment of
time to reflect and rally, and to see where he
is, we shall stand our ground with firmness. A
few malcontents will follow him, as they did
John Randolph, and perhaps he may carry off
some well-meaning Anti-Snyderites of Pennsylvania.
The federalists will sing hosannas, and
the world will thus know of a truth what they
are. This new minority will perhaps bring
forward their new favorite, who seems already
to have betrayed symptoms of consent. They
will blast him in the bud, which will be no misfortune.
They will sound the tocsin against the
ancient dominion, and anti-dominionism May
become their rallying point. And it is better
that all this should happen two than six years
hence.—
To President Madison.
Ford ed., ix, 321.
(M.
April. 1811)
