Dimitri’s Reviews > Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815 > Status Update

"Jefferson personified this revolutionary transformation. His ideas about liberty&democracy left such a deep imprint on the future of his country that, despite attempts to discredit his reputation, as long as there is a United States, he will remain the supreme spokesman for his nation's noblest ideals&highest aspirations."

Wood shows his true (anti-Federalist) colours, but without the plural "are" United States.

Still, expelling aliens&stopping the flow of scurrilous writing via resp. the Alien&Sedition Acts were only part of a larger Federalist program for saving the Republic from the scourge of Jacobinism, imported by radical Republicans to import a French Revolution. The Republicans on their side were as frightened by what they described as the Federalist moves towards Monarchy, including a standing army&war w/France.

This weakness was the Federalist dilemma. They believed that they&their kind had a natural right to rule. All history said so. the Revolution had largely been about securing the right of the natural aristocracy. But if their wealth was insufficient for them to govern? Would that justify opening opportunities for new ordinary men who seemed less scrupulous in using government to promote private interests & make money?