6439. PARTIES, Principles and.—
Were
parties here divided merely by a greediness for
office, as in England, to take a part with either
would be unworthy of a reasonable or moral
man. But where the principle of difference is
as substantial, and as strongly pronounced as
between the republicans and the monocrats of
our country, I hold it as honorable to take a
firm and decided part, and as immoral to pursue
a middle line, as between the parties of honest
men and rogues, into which every country is
divided.—
To William B. Giles. Washington ed. iv, 126.
Ford ed., vii, 43.
(M.
Dec. 1795)
