part15-第5章
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which was of eight years; presented an example of harmony in a
cabinet of six person; to which perhaps history has furnished no
parallel。 There never arose; during the whole time; an instance of
an unpleasant thought or word between the members。 We sometimes met
under differences of opinion; but scarcely ever failed; by conversing
and reasoning; so to modify each other's ideas; as to produce an
unanimous result。 Yet; able and amicable as these members were; I am
not certain this would have been the case; had each possessed equal
and independent powers。 Ill…defined limits of their respective
departments; jealousies; trifling at first; but nourished and
strengthened by repetition of occasions; intrigues without doors of
designing persons to build an importance to themselves on the
divisions of others; might; from small beginnings; have produced
persevering oppositions。 But the power of decision in the President
left no object for internal dissension; and external intrigue was
stifled in embryo by the knowledge which incendiaries possessed; that
no division they could foment would change the course of the
executive power。 I am not conscious that my participations in
executive authority have produced any bias in favor of the single
executive; because the parts I have acted have been in the
subordinate; as well as superior stations; and because; if I know
myself; what I have felt; and what I have wished; I know that I have
never been so well pleased; as when I could shift power from my own;
on the shoulders of others; nor have I ever been able to conceive how
any rational being could propose happiness to himself from the
exercise of power over others。
I am still; however; sensible of the solidity of your
principle; that; to insure the safety of the public liberty; its
depository should be subject to be changed with the greatest ease
possible; and without suspending or disturbing for a moment the
movements of the machine of government。 You apprehend that a single
executive; with eminence of talent; and destitution of principle;
equal to the object; might; by usurpation; render his powers
hereditary。 Yet I think history furnishes as many examples of a
single usurper arising out of a government by a plurality; as of
temporary trusts of power in a single hand rendered permanent by
usurpation。 I do not believe; therefore; that this danger is
lessened in the hands of a plural executive。 Perhaps it is greatly
increased; by the state of inefficiency to which they are liable from
feuds and divisions among themselves。 The conservative body you
propose might be so constituted; as; while it would be an admirable
sedative in a variety of smaller cases; might also be a valuable
sentinel and check on the liberticide views of an ambitious
individual。 I am friendly to this idea。 But the true barriers of
our liberty in this country are our State governments; and the wisest
conservative power ever contrived by man; is that of which our
Revolution and present government found us possessed。 Seventeen
distinct States; amalgamated into one as to their foreign concerns;
but single and independent as to their internal administration;
regularly organized with legislature and governor resting on the
choice of the people; and enlightened by a free press; can never be
so fascinated by the arts of one man; as to submit voluntarily to his
usurpation。 Nor can they be constrained to it by any force he can
possess。 While that may paralyze the single State in which it
happens to be encamped; sixteen others; spread over a country of two
thousand miles diameter; rise up on every side; ready organized for
deliberation by a constitutional legislature; and for action by their
governor; constitutionally the commander of the militia of the State;
that is to say; of every man in it able to bear arms; and that
militia; too; regularly formed into regiments and battalions; into
infantry; cavalry and artillery; trained under officers general and
subordinate; legally appointed; always in readiness; and to whom they
are already in habits of obedience。 The republican government of
France was lost without a struggle; because the party of _〃un et
indivisible〃_ had prevailed; no provincial organizations existed to
which the people might rally under authority of the laws; the seats
of the directory were virtually vacant; and a small force sufficed to
turn the legislature out of their chamber; and to salute its leader
chief of the nation。 But with us; sixteen out of seventeen States
rising in mass; under regular organization; and legal commanders;
united in object and action by their Congress; or; if that be in
_duresse_; by a special convention; present such obstacles to an
usurper as forever to stifle ambition in the first conception of that
object。
Dangers of another kind might more reasonably be apprehended
from this perfect and distinct organization; civil and military; of
the States; to wit; that certain States from local and occasional
discontents; might attempt to secede from the Union。 This is
certainly possible; and would be befriended by this regular
organization。 But it is not probable that local discontents can
spread to such an extent; as to be able to face the sound parts of so
extensive an Union; and if ever they should reach the majority; they
would then become the regular government; acquire the ascendency in
Congress; and be able to redress their own grievances by laws
peaceably and constitutionally passed。 And even the States in which
local discontents might engender a commencement of fermentation;
would be paralyzed and self…checked by that very division into
parties into which we have fallen; into which all States must fall
wherein men are at liberty to think; speak; and act freely; according
to the diversities of their individual conformations; and which are;
perhaps; essential to preserve the purity of the government; by the
censorship which these parties habitually exercise over each other。
You will read; I am sure; with indulgence; the explanations of
the grounds on which I have ventured to form an opinion differing
from yours。 They prove my respect for your judgment; and diffidence
in my own; which have forbidden me to retain; without examination; an
opinion questioned by you。 Permit me now to render my portion of the
general debt of gratitude; by acknowledgements in advance for the
singular benefaction which is the subject of this letter; to tender
my wishes for the continuance of a life so usefully employed; and to
add the assurances of my perfect esteem and respect。
THE LATIN AMERICAN REVOLUTION
_To Alexander von Humboldt_
_Monticello; April 14; 1811_
MY DEAR BARON; The interruption of our intercourse with
France for some time past; has prevented my writing to you。 A
conveyance now occurs; by Mr。 Barlow or Mr。 Warden; both of them
going in a public capacity。 It is the first safe opportunity offered
of acknowledging your favor of September 23d; and the receipt at
different times of the IIId part of your valuable work; 2d; 3d; 4th
and 5th livraisons; and the IVth part; 2d; 3d; and 4th livraisons;
with the _Tableaux de la nature_; and an interesting map of New
Spain。 For these magnificent and much esteemed favors; accept my
sincere thanks。 They give us a knowledge of that country more
accurate than I believe we possess of Europe; the seat of the science
of a thousand years。 It comes out; too; at a moment when those
countries are beginning to be interesting to the whole world。 They
are now becoming the scenes of political revolution; to take their
stations as integral members of the great family of nations。 All are
now in insurrection。 In several; the Independents are already
triumphant; and they will undoubtedly be so in all。 What kind of
government will they establish? How much