“Our hopes however of Sudden tranquility ought not to
be too Sanguine. Fanaticism and Superstition will Still be Selfish, Subtle,
intriguing, and at times furious. Despotism will Still Struggle for domination;
Monarchy will Still Study to rival nobility in popularity; Aristocracy will
continue to envy all above it, and despize and oppress all below it; Democracy
will envy all, contend with all, endeavour to pull down all; and when by chance
it happens to get the Upper hand for a Short time, it will be revengefull
bloody and cruel. These and other Elements of Fanaticism and Anarchy will yet
for a long time continue a Fermentation, which will excite alarms and require
Vigilance.”—John Adams (1735-1826), signer of the Declaration of Independence
and second President of the United States, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 16, 1814
On that cautionary note, Happy Fourth of July, Faithful
Reader!
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