[Loud Mime]

...that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times.

Be careful of this section. This passage is used by socialists to advance their cause, as it is so open to definition that it can accomodate any argument. The entire letter explains the limits of this passage.

I believe that Jefferson was creating room for the abolition of slavery.

The fact of the matter is that the human mind is not subject to progress. It is set. We now have a near-perfect method of distributing knowledge and few people take advantage of it; they will chop and dice the knowledge that is available to them so they may construct a salad of their own political views, while ignoring the importance of liberty.

Moreover, in this letter Jefferson was, for the most part, speaking of a State government -- not the federal. Within the letter Jefferson states the role of the federal and state governments. It deserves to be noted.

[Huck]

Be careful of this section. This passage is used by socialists to advance their cause, as it is so open to definition that it can accomodate any argument.

Be careful. If you apply this same standard to the text of the Constitution--discounting that which can be used by the left to advance their cause--you'll find yourself having serious issues with our founding document.

The fact of the matter is that the human mind is not subject to progress. It is set.

That's the optimistic appraisal. I say cultures devolve. But that's why I base it on experience. The one thing we have is 200 years of operational experience with our constitution. The point is that that ought to produce some revisions. Some people are absolutely batty about the Constitution, in just the way TJ describes. It takes on religious import. Ridiculous.

Moreover, in this letter Jefferson was, for the most part, speaking of a State government -- not the federal. Within the letter Jefferson states the role of the federal and state governments. It deserves to be noted.

It's irrelevant to the quote I posted. The speaks generically of constitutions. He's saying that while yes, we should be prudent and not rashly upend institutions, "prudence dictates, etc", we should realize constitutions are not divinely inspired, and sometimes corrections are advisable. It applies to ANY constitution.

[YHAOS]

"they will chop and dice the knowledge that is available to them so they may construct a salad of their own political views, while ignoring the importance of liberty."

Jefferson's political view was liberty. As is mine.