3516. GOVERNMENT, Hereditary branches of.—[further continued] .
We have chanced to live
in an age which will probably be distinguished
in history for its experiments in government
on a larger scale than has yet taken place.
But we shall not live to see the result.
The grosser absurdities, such as hereditary
magistracies, we shall see exploded in our day,
long experience having already pronounced
condemnation against them. But what is to
be the substitute? This our children or
grandchildren will answer. We may be satisfied
with the certain knowledge that none
can ever be tried, so stupid, so unrighteous,
so oppressive, so destructive of every end for
which honest men enter into government, as
that which their forefathers had established,
and their fathers alone venture to tumble
headlong from the stations they have so long
abused.—
To M. D'Ivernois. Washington ed. iv, 115.
Ford ed., vii, 5.
(M.
Feb. 1795)
