" When the subject has refused
allegiance, and the officer has resigned his office, then the
revolution is accomplished. But even suppose blood should flow. Is
there not a sort of blood shed when the conscience is wounded? Through
this wound a man's real manhood and immortality flow out, and he
bleeds to an everlasting death. I see this blood flowing now.
I have contemplated the imprisonment of the offender, rather than
the seizure of his goods- though both will serve the same purpose-
because they who assert the purest right, and consequently are most
dangerous to a corrupt State, commonly have not spent much time in
accumulating property. To such the State renders comparatively small
service, and a slight tax is wont to appear exorbitant, particularly
if they are obliged to earn it by special labor with their hands. If
there were one who lived wholly without the use of money, the State
itself would hesitate to demand it of him. But the rich man- not to
make any invidious comparison- is always sold to the institution which
makes him rich. Absolutely speaking, the more money, the less
virtue; for money comes between a man and his objects, and obtains
them for him; and it was certainly no great virtue to obtain it.
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