6120. OFFICES, Participation in.—[further continued] .
I still think our original
idea as to office is best; that is, to depend,
for the obtaining a just participation, on
deaths, resignations, and delinquencies. This
will least affect the tranquillity of the people.
and prevent their giving in to the suggestion
of our enemies, that ours has been a contest
for office, not for principle. This is rather
a slow operation, but it is sure if we pursue
it steadily, which, however, has not been done
with the undeviating resolution I could have
wished.—
To Levi Lincoln. Washington ed. iv, 451.
Ford ed., viii, 176.
(W.
Oct. 1802)
