The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
SECESSION
I can scarcely contemplate a more incalculable evil than the breaking
of the Union into two or more parts. Yet when we consider the mass
which opposed the original coalescence; when we consider that it lay
chiefly in the Southern quarter; that the Legislature have availed
themselves of no occasion of allaying it, but on the contrary,
whenever Northern and Southern prejudices have come into conflict, the
latter have been sacrificed and the former soothed; that the owners of
the debt are in the Southern, and the holders of it in the Northern
division; that the anti-federal champions are now strengthened in
argument by the fulfillment of their predictions; that this has been
brought about by the monarchical federalists themselves, who, having
been for the new government merely as a stepping stone to monarchy,
have themselves adopted the very constructions of the Constitution, of
which, when advocating its acceptance before the tribunal of the
people, they declared it unsusceptible; that the republican
federalists who espoused the same government for its intrinsic merits,
are disarmed of their weapons; that which they denied as prophecy,
having now become true history, who can be sure that these things may
not proselyte the small number which was wanting to place the majority
on the other side? And this is the event at which I tremble, and to
prevent which I consider your continuing at the head of affairs as of
the last importance. The confidence of the whole Union is centred in
you. Your being at the helm will be more than an answer to every
argument which can be used to alarm and lead the people in any
quarter, into violence and secession. North and South will hang
together if they have you to hang on; and if the first correction of a
numerous representation should fail in its effect, your presence will
give time for trying others, not inconsistent with the union and peace
of the States.
to George Washington, 23 May 1792
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