Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-17

ihgly for the good of his country. Having won
by his virtues and talents the confidence OF
Washington he was called 10 preside over the
Department Of State. In this station he vindl-
cated the rights Of America against the sophis-
try Of the European Cabinets, and gave proof oil
that skill in diplomacy for which he will be dis
tinguished through all future ages. When the
future statesman shall look for model from
which 10 form his style Of diplomatic writing,
will he not cease his search, and seize with avi-
di,y on that, the offspring of the Secretarys pen
in his correspondence with Hammond and Ge-
net. Called at length by the voice OF. the peo-
Die to the Presidency Of the United States, he
furnished the model Of an administration con-
Quoted on the purcst principles Of Republican
ism. He sought not to enlarge his powers by
construction, but referring every thing TO his
conscience, made that the standard OF consiitu-
tonal Interpretation. Regarding the govern
ment in its true and beautiful light OF a COME
Iteration Of States, he could not be drawn from
his course BY any of those splendid conceptions
which shine but 10 mislead. He extipguished
S3S,OuO ,oCO Of the national dcbt-enlarged the
boundaries Of our territorial jurisdiction by the
addition OF regions more extensive than our
original ssess:ous-overawed the Barbary
powers, and preserved the peace Of the nation
amidst the tremendous commissions which then
agi,ated the world will dwell no longer on
this fruitful topic, nor indulge my feelings
PARTY spirit is buried in his grave, and will
not di:inter it. The American people will as
one man look with admiration on his character,
and dwell with afftc,ionate delisht.over those
bright incidents in his life TO which have al
ready alluded
Thus then, my countrymen, in the 69,h year
Of his aye he terminated his political career,
and went into the shades of retirement at Month
cello But unlike the politicians Of other days,
who had fed from the cares & anxieties Of pub
lie life, that retirement was not VICTORIOUS. lie
still lived for his country, and the world. Let
that beautiful building devoted to the Sciences,
the last Of his labors, reared under his auspices
and cherished by hio care, testify TO this How
choice and how delightful this the last fruit OF
his bearing! How lasting monument will II,
be to his memory! 1t will be, we may fondly
hope, the perpetual nursery of those great prin-
ciples which it was the business OF his life 10
inculcate. The youth Of Virginia and the youth
Of our sister States, 10 use his own beautiful
language, "will bring hither their genius to.be
kindled at our fire. f." The good old Dominion,
the blessed mother OF US all, will then raise her
head with pride among the nations"
When history shall al some future day, come
TO draw his character, to what department shall
she assign him? Shall she encirclc his brow
with the wreath oil civic worih--or shall Philo-
sophy weave garland of her own? He is equal
" dear to all the sciences-In mournful process
sion they have repaired to the Tomb where his
mortal remains are inurned and hallowed the
Ill Ia tlac ut,ar no re
from his labors-Wave after wave may roll by,
sweeping in its resis.less course countless ge-
nerations from the face Of the earth, yet fall
the resting place Of Jefferson be halowed-
Like Mount Vernon, Monticello shall catch the
eve Of the way-farer and arrest his course
There shall he draw the inspirations Of liberty,
and learn those great truths which nature des!
tined him TO know.
Is not then this mans life most beautifully
consistent? Trace him from the period of his
earliest manhood to the hour Of his final disso-
luton, and does not his ardor in the prosecu-
ton Of the great cause Of human rights, excite
your admiration and enlist your gratitude!-
May il not be said that he has lived only for th.
good Of others? Look upon him in the last
stage of hissexstence-Bul few days before
his death he exuts in the happiness Of his
country and the full confirmation of his labors
With the prospect of death oefore him--suf
fering under cruel disease, he offers up ar, i'm,
pressive prayer for the good of mankind-when
speaking Of the approaching Jubilee, in writ
ing to the mayor Of Washington, he says,
"May it be to the world what believe it will
be; the signal Of arousng men TO burst the
chains under which moakish ignorance and SUI
pers,ition had persuaded them to bind them
selves, and to assume the blessings of free go
yernment''-And it shall be that signal-A
flood of light has burst upon the world, and
the Juggcrnauts Of superstition and the gloom
of ignorance shall melt in its brightness. Will
you then look upon him my countrymen, in
the last moments Of his existence. Shall
Ike known to you his fond concern for you
and your posteriy when the hand of death
pressed heavily upon him? Learn then, that he
dwelt on the subject Of the University--por-
trayed the blessings which it was destined. to
difuse, and for9etlul of his valuable services,
often urged his physician to leave his bed side
lest his class might suffer in his absence. One
other theme dwelt on his lips until they were,
motonless-It was the 4th Of July---He often
ex pressed the wish TO die on that day---On the
Sd, SO says my correspondent, he raised his Ian
guild head and said "lhis is the 4ih Of July"
and the smile of contentment played upon his
lips--Heaven heard his prayers and crowned
his wishes---Oh precious life! Oh glorious
death! He has left to US nv countrymen pre-