5133. MASSACHUSETTS, Republicanism in.—[further continued].
Of the return of Massachusetts
to sound principles I never had a
doubt. The body of her citizens has never
been otherwise than republican. Her would-be
dukes and lords, indeed, have been itching for
coronets; her lawyers for robes of ermine, her
priests for lawn sleeves, and for a religious
establishment which might give them wealth,
power, and independence of personal merit.
But her citizens, who were to supply with the
sweat of their brow the treasures on which these
drones were to riot, could never have seen anything
to long for in the oppressions and pauperism
of England. After the shackles of aristocracy
of the bar and priesthood have been burst
by Connecticut, we cannot doubt the return of
Massachusetts to the bosom of the republican
family.—
To Samuel A. Wells.
Ford ed., x, 133.
(M.
1819)
