The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1866-12-07
Jefferson Profession of Political Faith

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Mr.. JEFFERSON political principles
have ever been the standard of faith
with the Democracy of the United States
Nowhere are they more concisey embod
led than in his letter of January 9th, l709,
to ELpRIDGE GERRY. At tine when
leaders propose to throw PRINCIPLES over
board for expediency, it is we'll to- go back
to the instructions of our old chief. He
writes:
do. then. With sincere zeal, wish.an in,
violable preservation of our present federal
constitution, according to the true sense In
which it was advocated by its friends, and
not that in which its enemies apprehendeo,
who therefore became its enemies; and am
onnosed to the monarchising of its features
bv the forms of its admir- istration, with
view To conciliate first transition TO a
president and senate for life, and from that
to an hereditary tenure of the offices, and
Tins to worm out the elective principle L
am for preserving to the states the powers
not Welded by them to the Union, and to
the leo;slature of the Union It's constitution
al share in the division ofpowers; am not
for transferring all the powers OF the states
TO the general government and all those OF
that Government to the executive branch
T am for a government vigorous, frugal and
simple, APPLYING all the possible savings of
the public revenue to the discharge oi the
national debt; and not tor multiplication
Of offices and salaries merely TO make par
tisans,, and for increasing, by every device'
the public debt, on the principle OF Its oeing
. public blessing. l am tor relying Tor IN, IN,
ternal defense, on cur militia sorely, TIL
actual invasion, and for such raval force
only as may protect our coasts ana harpors
from such derredatlons as we nave eNperl-
cnccd and not for standing army IN ellne
of peace which may overawe the pubic SEN
timent: nor for navy, which, by its own
EXPENSES, and the internal wars in which it
will implcate u.s. will grind us with public
burttecs, and sink us under them. | am
for a commerce with all nations, political
connections with none; and little or no dl-
plomatic establishment. And | am not for
linking ourselves by new treaties with the
uuarrels Of Europe; entering that held OF
slaughter to preserve their balance, orJoln-
ing in the confederacy OF kings TO war
against the principles of liberty. l am TOR
freedom of religion and against all manoeu.,
vers to bring about legal ascendency OF
one sect over another for freedom OF the
press, and against all violations OF the cou-
stitution to silence by force, and not by rea-
son, the complaints or criticisms. just or un1
lust, of our citizens against the conduct OF
their agents. 1 am FOR encouraging the
progress of science, in all its branches land
not for raising hue and cry against the
sacret name of philosophy, for awin$ the
human mind by stories ct raw head and
bloody bones, to distrust its own vision, and
to repose imp p,icitIy on that of others to go
backward instead of forwards to look tor
improvement-to believe that government,
religion, morality and every other science
were in the highest perfection in the days OF
the darkest ignorance, and that nothing can
ever be devised more perfect than what
was established by our forefathers.