"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country"

Thomas Jefferson's quote speaks with the power of corporate entities and their potential to challenge the federal government. He expresses his hope that these corporations will be crushed prior to they can get too much power and influence. He thinks that these corporations ought to not be allowed to defy the laws of the nation and challenge the government. He is cautioning against the potential for these corporations to end up being too effective and to challenge the government's authority. He is advocating for the federal government to act to prevent these corporations from getting excessive power and influence. He is also revealing his belief that the federal government must be the ultimate authority and that corporations ought to not be permitted to challenge it.