that the golden moment is past for reforming these heresies.  The functionaries of public power rarely strengthen in their dispositions to abridge it, and an unorganized call for timely amendment is not likely to prevail against an organized opposition to it.  We are always told that things are going on well; why change them? ‘Chi sta bene, non si muova,’ says the Italian, ’Let him who stands well, stand still.’  This is true; and I verily believe they would go on well with us under an absolute monarch, while our present character remains, of order, industry, and love of peace, and restrained, as he would be, by the proper spirit of the people.  But it is while it remains such, we should provide against the consequences of its deterioration.  And let us rest in the hope that it will yet be done, and spare ourselves the pain of evils which may never happen.

On this view of the import of the term republic, instead of saying, as has been said, ‘that it may mean any thing or nothing,’ we may say with truth and meaning, that governments are more or less republican, as they have more or less of the element of popular election and control in their composition:  and believing, as I do, that the mass of the citizens is the safest depository of their own rights, and especially, that the evils flowing from the duperies of the people, are less injurious than those from the egoism of their agents, I am a friend to that composition of government which has in it the most of this ingredient.  And I sincerely believe, with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.

I salute you with constant friendship and respect.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER CXXXII.—­TO FRANCIS W. GILMER, June 7,1816

TO FRANCIS W. GILMER.

Monticello, June 7,1816.

Dear Sir,

I received a few-days ago from Mr. Dupont the enclosed manuscript, with permission to read it, and a request, when read, to forward it to you, in expectation that you would translate it.  It is well worthy of publication for the instruction of our citizens, being profound, sound, and short.  Our legislators are not sufficiently apprized of the rightful limits of their powers:  that their true office is to declare and enforce only our natural rights and duties, and to take none of them from us.  No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another; and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him:  every man is under the natural duty of contributing to the necessities of the society; and this is all the laws should enforce on him:  and, no man having a natural right to be the judge between himself and another, it is his natural duty to submit to the umpirage of an impartial third.