e social
amenities, the domestic influences, all humanizing agents, will have
opportunity and work harmoniously for the advancement of the race.

It will be seen that Mr. Jefferson's political system was that which,
in the language of the modern schools, is called individual theory.
It has been said, that it is based upon too favorable an estimate of
human character, and that he obtained it from the French philosophers.

It seems to us that the reproach of Utopian opinions may more justly
be thrown upon his opponents. The latter do not escape the evil from
which they fly. They proceed upon the belief that man is unfit for
self-government; but since every government is one of men, if he
cannot control himself, how shall he rule over others? Whatever may
be said about the superiority of men of genius, it is certain that
there never has existed an intellect capable of providing for all the
minute and varying necessities of each individual among many millions.
The history of legislation shows that the best-disciplined minds
find it difficult to devise a single statute affecting a single
interest which will be precise in its terms and equal in its
operation. These railers at the majority of their kind seem to expect
in the minority a greater than human perfection. Mr. Jefferson
proceeded upon a mere moderate estimate of the abilities, and a more
just appreciation of the weakness of men. It is _because_ we are
easily led astray and blinded by passion, that he thought us unfit
to govern others, and that we should limit our efforts to
self-government. His confidence in man was no greater than that
which is the foundation of Christianity. The whole Christian scheme
is one of the broadest democracy. The most important truths are
there submitted to the general judgment and conscience of mankind,
with no other recommendation than their value and the force of the
evidence by which they are attested. Can it be said that we are not
fit to decide upon a tax, yet are fit to decide our fate for all the
mysterious future? If Jefferson was an enthusiast, every clergyman
who calls his bearers to repentance must be mad. He did have confidence
in his fellows,--he did believe that we are not helpless slaves of sin,
that the evils which afflict us are not inevitable,--and that we have
power to lead lives of justice and virtue. Who will accuse him because
of this confidence?

The charge of French principles originated in a political contest.