Revolutionary Mindset
From Zanecorpwiki
WIP I'd like to give "definitive" quotes for other revolutionaries and discuss the view given.
God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure. Thomas Jefferson, Paris, November 13, 1787
Thomas Jefferson wrote these words in response to William Smith in part to respond to his receipt of the "new constitution" (the US Constitution of 1787. In it, he's advocating an almost natural rhythm of revolution where the revolution is not result, but cause positive outcome. Here we see revolution as a source of energy. It may be dangerous and wild, but that's the way of things.
The "few lives lost in a century or two" is perhaps an odd, even inconsistent statement. The American Revolution certainly cost more than a life or two and occurred 11 years before. To understand Jefferson's numbers, refer to the full letter where he says: "We have had 13. states independent 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century & a half for each state." Jefferson then says, "What country before ever existed a century & a half without a rebellion?"
This implies that each state should be considered it's own country, perhaps in association under a loose confederation, but clearly each equated here with nations rather than conceived of as part of a nation. Even so, his numbers are still reductive and I would say show a clear disregard for the individual cost of revolution in the face of the greater good which Jefferson proposes.
