5272. MINISTERS (Religious), Hostility to Jefferson.—
The delusion into which the X. Y. Z. plot shows it possible to push the
people; the successful experiment made under
the prevalence of that delusion on the clause
of the Constitution, which, while it secured the
freedom of the press, covered also the freedom
of religion, had given to the clergy a
very favorite hope of obtaining an establishment
of a particular form of Christianity
through the United States; and as every sect
believes its own form the true one, every one,
perhaps hoped for his own, but especially the
Episcopalians and Congregationalists. The returning
good sense of our country threatens
abortion to their hopes, and they believe that
any portion of power confided to me, will be
exercised in opposition to their schemes. And
they believe rightly; for I have sworn upon
the altar of God eternal hostility against every
form of tyranny over the mind of man. But
this is all they have to fear from me; and
enough, too, in their opinion. And this is the
cause of their printing lying pamphlets against
me, forging conversations for me with Mazzei,
Bishop Madison, &c., which are absolute falsehoods
without a circumstance of truth to rest
on; falsehoods, too, of which I acquiet Mazzei
and Bishop Madison for they are men of truth.
But enough of this. It is more than I have before
committed to paper on the subject of all
the lies that have been preached and printed
against me.—
To Dr. Benjamin Rush. Washington ed. iv, 336.
Ford ed., vii, 460.
(M.
Sep. 1800)
