Wednesday, March 24, 2010

The temperament of Jefferson.


“I hope they pardoned them (in reference to the members of Shay’s Rebellion). The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive…If the happiness of the mass of the people can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then, or even a little blood, it will be a precious purchase...The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”

- Founding Father Thomas Jefferson, in a letter written to Abigail Adams

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