If they could have continued to get all the loaves
and fishes, that is, if I would have gone over to them, they would
continue to eulogize. But I well knew that the moment that such removals
should take place, as the justice of the preceding administration ought
to have executed, their hue and cry would be set up, and they would
take their old stand. I shall disregard that also. Mr. Adams's last
appointments, when he knew he was naming counsellors and aids for me and
not for himself, I set aside as far as depends on me. Officers who have
been guilty of gross abuses of office, such as marshals packing juries,
&c, I shall now remove, as my predecessor ought in justice to have done.
The instances will be few, and governed by strict rule, and not party
passion. The right of opinion shall suffer no invasion from me. Those
who have acted well, have nothing to fear, however they may have
differed from me in opinion: those who have done ill, however, have
nothing to hope; nor shall I fail to do justice lest it should be
ascribed to that difference of opinion. A coalition of sentiments is
not for the interest of the printers. They, like the clergy, live by the
zeal they can kindle, and the schisms they can create. It is contest
of opinion in politics as well as religion which makes us take great
interest in them, and bestow our money liberally on those who furnish
aliment to our appetite.
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