I've read this statement many times. Here's where I come down on interpreting it in the light of recent events...

"The spirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people careless...."

Time alone will cause things to change under the democratic style of government. There is a good chance that our elected leaders will act corruptly or irresponsibly as the result of the inattention of the citizens who elect them.

"A single zealot may commence persecutor and better men be his victims."

Thru the actions of his administration, a single key leader can have an inordinate effect on the lives and well-being of many citizens who are undeserving of the results of the idealogue's administration of the country's business.

" It can never be too often repeated that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest and ourselves united."

Our government is based on the rule of law. Unless the citizens are very attentive and careful that their desires and intents be documented in an enforceable manner, the absence or absence of laws, rules and regulations are very likely to have a bad effect. These types of documentations need be done while our citizens are still united. If addressed only after our country is fractionalized, it might be too late.

"From the conclusion of the war for independence, a nation begins going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded."

The weaknesses of human nature will tend to weaken any democracy unless the citizens are conscious and attentive to the actions of their elected leaders.

"They will forget themselves in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effect a due respect for their rights."

The greatest risk to a democracy is the citizens becoming inattentive to their political leaders with the effect of weakening the democracy. It is to be expected that the attention of citizens will wane due to their self-interest and their efforts in accumulating personal wealth.

"The shackles, therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of the war will remain on them long, will be made heavier and heavier, till their rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion."

The deterioration of the democracy and all that it stands for will occur slowly and cumulatively until events shall cause citizens to realize what has happened to their government. If the realization of events happens soon enough, the democracy can be rerstored. If that realization occurs too late, the democracy could be irrevocably damaged.

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Just my interpretation of what old Tom meant by his writing. More and more, Thomas Jefferson proves to be one smart man.