Extract
from Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith
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Paris Nov. 13. 1787.
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the people can not be all, &
always, well informed. the part which is wrong [. . .] will be discontented in
proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. if they remain
quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to
the public liberty. we have had 13. states independant 11. years. there has
been one rebellion. that comes to one rebellion in a century & a half for
each state. what country before ever existed a century & half without a
rebellion? & what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are
not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of
resistance? let them take arms. the remedy is to set them right as to facts,
pardon & pacify them. what signify a few lives lost in a century or two?
the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of
patriots & tyrants. it is it’s natural manure.
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