7363. REPUBLICANS, Divisions among.—[further continued].
I did believe my station
in March, 1801, as painful as could be undertaken,
having to meet in front all the terrible
passions of federalism in the first moment of its
defeat and mortification, and to grapple with it
until completely subdued. But I consider that
as less painful than to be placed between conflicting
friends. There my way was clear and
my mind made up. I never for a moment had
to balance between two opinions. In the new
divisions which are to arise the case will be
very different. Even those who seem to coalesce
will be like the image of clay and brass.
However, under difficulties of this kind, I have
ever found one, and only one rule, to do what is
right, and generally we shall disentangle ourselves
without almost perceiving how it happens.—
To Wilson C. Nicholas.
Ford ed., viii, 349.
(M.
March. 1805)
