Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1803-08-06
CHARACTER OF
THOMAS JEFFERSON,
PrsGdsm Of ibe UHifed SiafeI'
By ALLAN B. MAcRupts,
Oh Lexington, lkcn.l

THE fuperior d.a,ostion which Mt. cfer-
4 ION has acquired. in the political worlds
was founded upon The sance OF virtue ani
fortune. Gteat events give birlh 20 great tall
ents. IL is not difficult 10 lay, however, thas
had the revolution ~ America never taken
place. he would have srten 20 coniide'able tame,
in the republics ot ct,ess and phlloiophy. The
advantages 81 an excellent education, habits OF
application aud Rody, were ciGsumNanccs that
gave TO his m,nd an inclination tor phIoiophl-
cal and literary puriuia--Hs Notes on the
State oi Vireinia. work though incomplete
and coniideied merely as neariDg the t.stufes
of its si,le, IL however not without coohderabls
merii.--it diicovers mind at once Ggscious
aud inqail,ivc and capable, by the gTaiaal
means OF experiment and rational dedoclion. OF
unfolding the iubmea principles oi ua,h.--
But the fame great event which has irnEorts-
lxed the genus of American patrio,i!0, and
drawn from obfcuriiy Ihe moa brilliant tsents
in the field and the cabiaei, pasd an eqnal tribute
90 the virtues Of Mr.. Jef:non, and gave hin
dilnetion 10 the 6rt rank OF Rateinen.
the 6rt mock OF ,hA, coovollon, which syentu-
ally ieparsted the continent os America from
Grear Brian. the philofophica apparatus fell
from his hand. Governed by .har genuine pa
triotilm which iscrihtss prisaie in,sta 10 pub
lie felicity. he exchanged rural eaIc and retire.
ment for the bualc of active life. the smuie-
menu OF the laboratory, for the mose inserca-
ing dutics OF the cabinet.--lo this dtoa,ioo,
Ms. JetfaIfon appears to have been dt6gned by
ioaane, aod accident, 10 combine wi,b shc ioii-
dity the Durability Of a reputation. His ad-
vancement was gradual and every acp at it,
wa. marked bv difplay Of tsienu ,hi, was
equally honorable 10 himfelt sod conpe,cn, 10
the difficulties occa6oned by the precipi,sncy cf
events. There IL o con,cmptibr activity which
iacrihces prrional dignity and Independence to-
the rage OF ambition and the de6ie Of tame.
Not contented with the Internal confciosloeis u
deietving applauie, and waiting, with compo-
fue, tor the period which fhall b,aow il, iS
goes in icsrch OF unmeri;ed laureis, and courts
the acquiG,on, at the expence Of every lcny..
ment OF dslicacy and propre,y.--This imputa-
ton never tarnilhed the character Of ISr. Jciter-
| fon. The iufffzees of his sountry were wiely
| dGpofed OF. He dcfervcd confederation and be
oblsined il. lie never followed tame bpt
fame appears to have purfued him, through esc-
~ depsttincnt, IN which fortune or accident
may have placed him. An understanding clear
and fsgscioui, integrity unpollutcd by bublic
reprosch or private malice, and principles whole
malls Of their hoceiiiy, were qualifications thar
called him TO The hishea departments OF Aate.
III may be permitted, TO give sn opinion
Of the political principles of Mr.. Jrfedou. twill
be drawn from the aggregate qualifications OF
his chsrstter.--'ihi mode, however, may bc
very fsllible one in forming the judgment be-
csaic ,be moa manly virtues, and the mol pill
Iianr iniellet,s, arc. toe frequently, In eo.aia
with the latent feelings of the heart. But iE
would he uncharitable, in the preicnt ieaance.
70 conceive Of . difpari,y. which nothing con-
firms and every thing refutcs. IL "oud 10
I barbsrous 10 violate the fenliments OF benevo-
Ience sod to repfosch the judgment with de-
! fcet, without the evidence of ,fu,h and rcsfou.
1t !, diEicul, 70 mske The progreis OF pe.io-
nal inter,h, in the sdions Of msn, every part
OF Whole conduct hs. been connected together.
by chain Of uDiform morality, Whole tone 70
dcciGve. wtofe Ayle aud Isngaage, clear and
ncrvoos, Whole principles convey the res'iiy OF
jn1ce aud the convictions Of experience and re
A:etion.
TIE political principles OF Mr.. JefsrfDn.
| are drawn iron an expanded infelcd, that coa-
fulu the orseies Of naiofe and uafou az i'S oDly
.eo,des.-Born At q period when The whols unit
vetfe was conyullsd by the conflicting paiions
Of msnkin6, hi, fody is 10 reconcile ihe jariing
elements sod to erirssl felicity ard oder fton
mifery and eonfriion. Experience and obfef-
walton have poin,ed out TO him the wrecks of
ambition. add the dtf,csifm Of error snd prejd-
dice. They have eoayesed his MIND ,hroush
the vs,iou, regions OF iocicty, iamilis,'zed ir
with the melancholy exhib,tons OF init dgniiy,
of injured innocence. Of pollp,ed viuoe and
Ief, il in the zsssl contemplation OF fcenes, az
which bis humanity ihodden.--It !, no wonder,
thcseiose, that nj, opinions arc ite pioos inno-
ystion, q the philofopher, ~ho yifhcs to repair
the injuries which sn uojua policy has occshon-
ed IN the worla that he ehe'i!he' them as 4
| p,eoliar tribute to lis owl feelings, which the
upSssaandir~ confirms and The heart raiihes.
| Upoa this ,.ocIal plan oi phlanshrsPy, Mr..