7149. RANDOLPH (John), Defection.—
The separation of a member of great talents and
weight from the present course of things, scattered
dismay for a time among those who had
been used to see him with them. A little time,
however, enabled them to rally to their own principles,
and to resume their track under the guidance
of their own good sense. As long as we
pursue without deviation the principles we have
always professed, I have no fear of deviation
from them in the main body of republicans.—
To Caesar A. Rodney.
Ford ed., viii, 436.
(W.
March. 1806)
