The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
CONSTITUTION / UNITED STATES / BILL OF RIGHTS
Your thoughts on the subject of the declaration of rights, in the
letter of October the 17th, I have weighed with great satisfaction.
Some of them had not occurred to me before, but were acknowledged just
in the moment they were presented to my mind. In the arguments in
favor of a declaration of rights, you omit one which has great weight
with me; the legal check which it puts into the hands of the
judiciary. This is a body, which, if rendered independent and kept
strictly to their own department, merits great confidence for their
learning and integrity. In fact, what degree of confidence would be
too much, for a body composed of such men as Wythe, Blair and
Pendleton? On characters like these, the
civium ardor prava jubentium would make no impression. I am
happy to find that, on the whole, you are a friend to this amendment.
The declaration of rights is, like all other human blessings, alloyed
with some inconveniences, and not accomplishing fully its object. But
the good in this instance, vastly overweighs the evil. . . . The
executive, in our government, is not the sole, it is scarcely the
principal object of my jealousy. The tyranny of the legislatures is
the most formidable dread at present, and will he for many years. That
of the executive will come in its turn; but it will be at a remote
period. I know there are some among us, who would now establish a
monarchy. But they are inconsiderable in number and weight of
character. The rising race are all republicans. We were educated in
royalism; no wonder, if some of us retain that idolatry still. Our
young people are educated in republicanism; an apostasy from that to
royalism, is unprecedented and impossible. I am much pleased with the
prospect that a declaration of rights will be added; and I hope it
will be done in that way, which will not endanger the whole frame of
government, or any essential part of it.
to James Madison, 15 March 1789
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