Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-10
the old world is now the character OF the

The dawn OF the Revolution presented 10 th'
phlosophc reflections of Mr.. Jefferson new era
. in the human mind more luminous, and with n'
moral energies completely rallied from the over
throw Of ages. Amidst the prevailing systems OF
tlse education, which the artificial interests and
combinations of society had fos,ered IN the oiu
world; his intuitive genius stood aloof, as from
spectre of bideous ruin. The path OF nature was
his early pursuit: he regarded her admohi'iohs as
leading to perfection of character, and rom 'he
impulse Of noble desire to elevate bis heart ana
understanding, upon her pure system OF moral
and instruction. he met her in the early advances,
with W hch she courts the human mind, in cordial
embrace. Thus he came forward one oil her nnes'
MODELS, simple in his manners, and unpledged IN
his principles to any system, which wisdom ala
not approve and philanthropy recommend. ms
researches into antiquity were limited only oy Tue
field of enquiry. From this source he drew 'he
doctrines OF that Philosophy, which blending Itself
with the manly genius Of ancient times, Inspired
the character of Greek and Roman PATRIOTISM, ana
from whence classic genius drew ITS MODEST INA
ess. The love ola viruous fame sweiled his bosom,
Ina,lulterated by the impure desires ot ambiton ne
IisdaineL the laurcls, by her lawlesS vCtarles
j, was not the reputation of Cesar or Buonaparle,
that had power over his soul, 10 tempt 1t from the
nais, of yirtue--he corted the fame winch pursues
rood actions, and wise Legislator, lac sought
10 bless his country and a. the aithnr oil system
of administration founded in economy and slmph-
city, he aimed to perpetua,e her Constitution and
liberties. Thus his measures, whilst they were con-
,rouled By the principles OF universal justice, were
peculiarly adapted TO the exlsencles oil MS own
country His Judgment OF human nature was
evidently made up of the materials which history
affuded; its truth was successfully separated from
ils obscuriiies by the force of genius, geniu- or
ssnised upon the best plan of natures great men,
jntuiiive aud commanding, exercising sway over
,yery department OF literature and science. and
4,hich by the most potent operations OF intellect,
sublued lbe inequalities OF space which separate
ancient from modern times. Thus his genius ena-
bed him to triumph oyer the " I'D conirariety oil
manners, ussges, ranks and political forms. pre-
.en,ed by the annals OF the world; aud sitting In
Judgment ever an abridged picture OF all ages, unit
ing in the same view the glo, and power oil EN-
pres the various eminent quan Iss and endow-
men;s OF nen, the hegh of genius, Inc progress vi
refinement in taste, the perfection OF solo Judgment
the power Of elOqrence In the cause OF heedom.
and the glory of arms, with that OF arts and
sciences, enabled his excellent Judgment to
distinguish between the glory of vaiour IN con-
uuering and the fame which attends ability III gov
ernment He chose for himself the honor which
belongs TO a wise mssistrate, the love and venera
lion which awaits on philosophy and the noble adj
miration which halls the distinguished Legisla or
aud Relormer {; he rejected all honor and dignlty
which love of country did not sanction: he scorned
inslorious ease, and incurred even penurv and
want for the happiness of his country He was
Just the man, whose principles, endowment' and
virtues, would point him Out, TO preside over the
great drama Of the human chsrac er, sublimely con-
ceived by the viriuous Sydney and Locke, pre-
senting in TIE purity OF his mind X the lustre OF hs
genius the bes, guaranty which human nature could
form Tor the Philosophical expectation. Rspubli
cans have ever felt their Party ennobed by his
sanction. Indeed the system they advocate, Is tie
work of his benevolent mind, compiled by his ana
lytic genius from the various plans OF civil pohy;
and held up 10 their admiration ihro' his pure, aud
unobtrusive, but fortunate admiration OF The Const-
luton. They have never ceased TO identify the
character ofths ilusrions ornament OF his species
w til the perfectiblity oil our His admin sra
rion ably sustained the doctrines his pen had so
sublimey proclaimed. INCREASING the fond hopes OF
philosophy in the capacity OF man for self govern
ment, and Frightening the era OF civil liberty, IN
our own country II does not take from the tame
of Mr.. Jefferson, the head OF the Republican
policy, thai Mr.. Madison largely contributed 10
advance the dignity of their system Dy the force of
his pure and elevated mind; the cooperation oil
such distinguished virtue and talents, serves but to
render more celebrated the Inan whom all Republi-
cans acknowledge their head. 1t Is in the
character of Mr.. Jefferson, that we feel an interest
His principles and memoir now can0nised by
death; the debt he has paid Is that OF nature he
lived pure and indebted friend 10 the liberty OF
all mankind !; and so long as Republicans really
study how to initiate his political virtues, they will
secure to their system the honor and lame which
belongs to Patriotism, when unniaeJ WIKI the al .
10y of ambition, and when ennobed by that sue
cess, which virtue, under the guidance OF wisdom 4,
secures to her plans. 1t becomes our sacred duty
60 profit by his life and principles to erect in
hear I'D of mi ed
his chase model In no department of the science
OF Government is his example deficient OF insruc-
ton friend 10 niversal freedom, his opinions
were as comprehensive as the Genlus oil Modern
PHILOSOPHY could wish 4; but he held them under
the controul OF a wise ard practical Judgment ;
lie hoped for the entire emancipation OF all his
fellow creatures he believed in the great and
cheering truth of universal regeneration IN the
moral character of our species. But, whilst he
breathed the aspiration of the PhilanihFopist, he
was not unmindful of the duties of Patriotism -
What he owed to his own country was in every
point Of view paramount sentiment: it was the
obligation which fond father owes to las child Ell
for it forms one of the most beautiful features oil his
character, that he endeared to his countrymen
by the pa;ernal ties, which bind in sacred obser~
vance the feelings of children to the pTecepts OF a
sage parent. The purity of his political opinions
inspired this confidence. At no period oil bis lie
hao ne ever waVeIeu IN MS altdChhlenl W hOeity'
He did not like Burke once the friend and advocate
of freedom take fright at the spectre OF the French
Revolution, and seek shelter behind the Throne 4;
he did not like him the destruction OF Aris-
iocracy, and bewalI the overthrow OF the estab-
ished church. He saw nothing IN the tate OF Chi
valry TO found accusation upon against liberty,
but he behed in the scenes Of this great Revolution,
the foundations OF ages ornup and the social fabric
which feudal tynany bad raised over beimprescrpi-
Die rights ofman, destroyed by the elementary force
of Liberty. Like wise Philosopher he accounted
for the phenomenon upon well established prnci-
ples he Therefore ts aDuearance without