The basis of our governments
being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep
that right; and were it left to me to decide, whether we should have
a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I
should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean,
that every man should receive those papers, and be capable of reading
them. I am convinced that those societies (as the Indians), which live
without government, enjoy in their general mass an infinitely greater
degree of happiness, than those who live under the European governments.
Among the former, public opinion is in the place of law, and restrains
morals as powerfully as laws ever did any where. Among the latter, under
pretence of governing, they have divided their nations into two classes,
wolves and sheep. I do not exaggerate. This is a true picture of Europe.
Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their
attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them
by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public
affairs, you, and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges and Governors,
shall all become wolves.
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