University of Virginia Library

TO WILLIAM EUSTIS.

Dear Sir I recd. by the last mail, your welcome
favr. of the 10th instant. The newspapers had
prepared me for the triumphant vote which restores
a prodigal sister to the bosom of the Republican
family, and evinces a return of grateful feelings for
a revolutionary worthy.[46] I congratulate you very
sincerely on this event, with every wish that your
administration may be as happy to yourself as I
am confident it will be propitious to the welfare
of those who have called you into it; & I may add
of those who resisted the call. The people are now
able every where to compare the principles & policy
of those who have borne the name of Republicans
or Democrats, with the career of the adverse party;
and to see & feel that the former are as much in
harmony with the spirit of the nation & the genius
of the Govt. as the latter was at variance with both.

A great effort has been made by the fallen party
to proclaim & eulogize an amalgamation of political
sentiments & views. Who could be duped by it,
when unmasked by the electioneering violence of
the party where strong, and intrigues where weak?

The effort has been carried even farther. It has
been asserted that the Republicans have abandoned
their Cause, and gone over to the policy of their
opponents. Here the effort equally fails. It is
true that under a great change of foreign circumstances,

and with a doubled population, & more
than doubled resources, the Republican party has
been reconciled to certain measures & arrangements
which may be as proper now as they were premature
and suspicious when urged by the Champions of
federalism. But they overlook, the overbearing &
vindictive spirit, the apocryphal doctrines, & rash
projects, which stamped on federalism its distinctive
character; and which are so much in contrast with
the unassuming & unavenging spirit which has
marked the Republican Ascendency.

There has been in fact a deep distinction between
the two parties or rather, between the mass of the
Nation, and the part of it which for a time got possession
of the Govt.. The distinction has its origin
in the confidence of the former, in the capacity of
mankind for self Govt. and in a distrust of it by
the other or by its leaders; and is the key to many
of the phenomena presented by our political History.
In all free Countries somewhat of this distinction
must be looked for; but it can never be dangerous
in a well informed Community and a well constructed
Govt. both of which I trust will be found to be the
happy lot of the U. S. The wrong paths into which
the fathers may stray will warn the sons into the
right one; according to the example under your own
eye, which has touched your heart with such appropriate
feelings.

As you say nothing of the state of your health
I flatter myself it has undergone no unfavorable
change, and that it will more than suffice for the

labors thrown on your hands. Mrs. M. who shares
largely in the gratification afforded by your letter,
joins in this, and in every other wish that can express
an affectionate esteem for yourself & Mrs. Eustis.