Details
ADAMS, JOHN, President. Autograph letter signed ("John Adams") to Samuel B. Malcolm, Quincy, 6 August 1812. 2 pages, 4to, 240 x 200mm. (9 1/4 x 7 7/8 in.), very slight browning and spotting, top edge of page 2 with traces of mounting.
THE "TYRANNY OF FASHION AND PARTY" AND THE INTRIGUES OF AARON BURR: "EMULATION, RIVALRY, AMBITION, HAVE UNLIMITED SCOPE, UNDER OUR FORMS OF GOVERNMENT"
A thoughtful letter on the unfortunate necessity for political parties, in spite of their evils: "...Your resolution to subjugate yourself to the controul [sic] of no Party, is noble; but have you considered all the consequences of it? In the whole History of human life, this Maxim, has rarely failed to annihilate the Influence of the Man who adopts it, and very often exposed him to the tragical Venge[a]nce of all Parties. There are two Tyrants in human Life, who domineer in All Nations; in Indians and Negroes, in Tartars and Arabs, in Hindoos and Chinese; in Greeks and Romans, in Britons and Gauls: as well as in our Simple, youthfull and beloved United States of America. These two Tyrants, are Fashion and Party. They are some times at variance: and I know not whether their mutual Hostility, is not the only Security of human happiness. But they are forever Struggling for an Alliance with each other. And when they are United, Truth, Reason, Honor, Justice, Gratitude and Humanity itself in Combination, are no Match for the Coalition. Upon the maturist Reflections of a long Experience I am much inclined to believe that Fashion, is the worst of all Tyrants because he is the original source, cause, preserver and supporter of all others...
"Nothing short of the Philosophy of Zeno, Socrates, Seneca and Epictetus could ever support an Antient; and nothing short of the Philosphy of Jesus, could ever support a Modern in the Resolution you have taken. Nothing less than the Spirit of Martyrdom is sufficient: for Martyrdom will infallibly insue. Not always in flames at the Stake; not always in the Guillotine: but in Lies, slanders, insults and privations. Often times more difficult to bear, then the horrors of Smithfield or the Place de Louis Quinze...Men have suffered Martyrdom for Party and for Fashion in sufficient numbers; but none for Contempt of Party and Fashion, but upon Principles of the highest order..."
Adams regrets that Malcolm has "left your Practice at the Bar. There is the scene of Independence...a Man of Genius, Talents, Eloquence, Integrity and Judgment at the Bar is the most Independent Man in Society. Presidents, Governors, Senators, Judges have not so much honest liberty..." Adams goes on to discusses some mutual political acquaintances and comments on the practice of dueling, before concluding, "Colonel [Aaron] Burr; Attorney General Burr; Senator Burr; Vice President Burr; almost President Burr: has returned to New York. What is to be, his destiny? Emulation, Rivalry, Ambition, have unlimited scope, under our forms of Government. We have seen enough already to admonish Us, what we have to expect in our future..."
THE "TYRANNY OF FASHION AND PARTY" AND THE INTRIGUES OF AARON BURR: "EMULATION, RIVALRY, AMBITION, HAVE UNLIMITED SCOPE, UNDER OUR FORMS OF GOVERNMENT"
A thoughtful letter on the unfortunate necessity for political parties, in spite of their evils: "...Your resolution to subjugate yourself to the controul [sic] of no Party, is noble; but have you considered all the consequences of it? In the whole History of human life, this Maxim, has rarely failed to annihilate the Influence of the Man who adopts it, and very often exposed him to the tragical Venge[a]nce of all Parties. There are two Tyrants in human Life, who domineer in All Nations; in Indians and Negroes, in Tartars and Arabs, in Hindoos and Chinese; in Greeks and Romans, in Britons and Gauls: as well as in our Simple, youthfull and beloved United States of America. These two Tyrants, are Fashion and Party. They are some times at variance: and I know not whether their mutual Hostility, is not the only Security of human happiness. But they are forever Struggling for an Alliance with each other. And when they are United, Truth, Reason, Honor, Justice, Gratitude and Humanity itself in Combination, are no Match for the Coalition. Upon the maturist Reflections of a long Experience I am much inclined to believe that Fashion, is the worst of all Tyrants because he is the original source, cause, preserver and supporter of all others...
"Nothing short of the Philosophy of Zeno, Socrates, Seneca and Epictetus could ever support an Antient; and nothing short of the Philosphy of Jesus, could ever support a Modern in the Resolution you have taken. Nothing less than the Spirit of Martyrdom is sufficient: for Martyrdom will infallibly insue. Not always in flames at the Stake; not always in the Guillotine: but in Lies, slanders, insults and privations. Often times more difficult to bear, then the horrors of Smithfield or the Place de Louis Quinze...Men have suffered Martyrdom for Party and for Fashion in sufficient numbers; but none for Contempt of Party and Fashion, but upon Principles of the highest order..."
Adams regrets that Malcolm has "left your Practice at the Bar. There is the scene of Independence...a Man of Genius, Talents, Eloquence, Integrity and Judgment at the Bar is the most Independent Man in Society. Presidents, Governors, Senators, Judges have not so much honest liberty..." Adams goes on to discusses some mutual political acquaintances and comments on the practice of dueling, before concluding, "Colonel [Aaron] Burr; Attorney General Burr; Senator Burr; Vice President Burr; almost President Burr: has returned to New York. What is to be, his destiny? Emulation, Rivalry, Ambition, have unlimited scope, under our forms of Government. We have seen enough already to admonish Us, what we have to expect in our future..."