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第18章

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place; and occasion may give it some favorable effect。  A good cause

is often injured more by ill…timed efforts of its friends than by the

arguments of its enemies。  Persuasion; perseverance; and patience are

the best advocates on questions depending on the will of others。  The

revolution in public opinion which this cause requires; is not to be

expected in a day; or perhaps in an age; but time; which outlives all

things; will outlive this evil also。  My sentiments have been forty

years before the public。  Had I repeated them forty times; they would

only have become the more stale and threadbare。  Although I shall not

live to see them consummated; they will not die with me; but living

or dying; they will ever be in my most fervent prayer。  This is

written for yourself and not for the public; in compliance with your

request of two lines of sentiment on the subject。  Accept the

assurance of my good will and respect。







        LAST LETTER: APOTHEOSIS OF LIBERTY




        _To Roger C。 Weightman_

        _Monticello; June 24; 1826_




        RESPECTED SIR;  The kind invitation I receive from you; on

the part of the citizens of the city of Washington; to be present

with them at their celebration on the fiftieth anniversary of

American Independence; as one of the surviving signers of an

instrument pregnant with our own; and the fate of the world; is most

flattering to myself; and heightened by the honorable accompaniment

proposed for the comfort of such a journey。  It adds sensibly to the

sufferings of sickness; to be deprived by it of a personal

participation in the rejoicings of that day。  But acquiescence is a

duty; under circumstances not placed among those we are permitted to

control。  I should; indeed; with peculiar delight; have met and

exchanged there congratulations personally with the small band; the

remnant of that host of worthies; who joined with us on that day; in

the bold and doubtful election we were to make for our country;

between submission or the sword; and to have enjoyed with them the

consolatory fact; that our fellow citizens; after half a century of

experience and prosperity; continue to approve the choice we made。

May it be to the world; what I believe it will be; (to some parts

sooner; to others later; but finally to all;) the signal of arousing

men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and

superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves; and to assume the

blessings and security of self…government。  That form which we have

substituted; restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of

reason and freedom of opinion。  All eyes are opened; or opening; to

the rights of man。  The general spread of the light of science has

already laid open to every view the palpable truth; that the mass of

mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs; nor a favored

few booted and spurred; ready to ride them legitimately; by the grace

of God。  These are grounds of hope for others。  For ourselves; let

the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of

these rights; and an undiminished devotion to them。




        I will ask permission here to express the pleasure with which I

should have met my ancient neighbors of the city of Washington and

its vicinities; with whom I passed so many years of a pleasing social

intercourse; an intercourse which so much relieved the anxieties of

the public cares; and left impressions so deeply engraved in my

affections; as never to be forgotten。  With my regret that ill health

forbids me the gratification of an acceptance; be pleased to receive

for yourself; and those for whom you write; the assurance of my

highest respect and friendly attachments。




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