Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-26

Ethan to any man who has ever lived, with the
exception of George Washington. Mr.. Jefer-
son has served his country, in different public
employments, upwards Of 81 years recollect
of no such period of public service in the his
tory Of any other man Of whomf have everread.
A great portion Of this time has been spent in
the discharge of the arduous duties attached to
the highest and most important Offices that were
in the gift Of his country
They were performed too at the most difficult
and trying period Of our history. They neces-
sarily required his absence from home, and de-
prived him of all opportunity OF attending to his
private affairs.
He entered the Colonial Legislature in the
year 1865 He was afterwards sent 10 the old
Continental Congress, where he took leading
and active part in all those important measures
which brought this mighty empire into exist
ence, and obtained forit freedom and happiness.
Here he penned his immortrl Declaration OF
Independence, which alone would have insured
him everlasting fame and the highest place in
the veneraton and affection OF his countrymen.
1t procured for this infant nation, at the time 1t
WIS written, the sympathy and admiration OF
the wise and good, i'll every quarter OF the world.
1t nerved the arm that struck for freedom, and
animated the whole country in her glorious con-
test. On The other side ofthe Atlantic, il eX-
tor,ed the applause OF some OF the greatest men
who have ever lived, 1t tended, among other
things, to raise in our behalf the voice of Chat
ham in sublime illusions Of eloquence; and, al.
ter him, of Fox, of Burke, and of Sheridan. 1t
contains the principles upon which the Ameri-
can revolution was waged. expressed in beau
ty and force of language which has never been
surpassed /. contains recital of our wrongs
and history of our sufferings, set forth with
boldness of spirit, and a digniGed spirit of re-
sentiment, which not only fired every American
bosom, bat convinced the impartial world VIC
never could be enslaved. 1t has been the model
of imitation for all other nations who have, dur
ing the last half century, struggled Tor liberty.
1t required The bold and original genius OF JET
fcrson 10 have produced such a paper at the
time, and under the circumstances, in which 1t
was written. In the language of The day, !" he
wrote it with halter round his neck" when
the most awful dangers surrounded his coun-
try, andwhen an ignominous death to him
would have been the certain consequence, II our
fathers had failed in the perilous and doubtful
enterprise in which he had contributed so es-
sentially 10 embark them. These are some OF
the considerations which give value TO this do
cument, and have procured for lis author i'm
perishable renown. What American can hear
it read, even at this day, long since the glorious
contest has passed away, without feeling his
bosom swell with the love of liberty, all his in
dignaiion reused against the tyrant who wished
to ensIave us9 What mast have been its effect,
when the wrongs it recites were fresh in the re-
collection of all; when the bloody and unequal
contest had just commenced, and the note of
preparation for battle was heard from one end
Of the continent 10 the other?
Mr. Jefferson was afterwards employed two
years with Mr.. PcndIeton and Mr.. Wythe, in
revising and reducing to single code, tine
whole body of the British statutes, the acts Of
our assembly, and certain parts of the common
law. The labour Of this work must have been
immense, and the manner in which it was per-
formed, reflects the highest credit upon those
who were engaged in it. He was elected after
wards Governor of Virginia, at the most gloo-
my and trying period of the revolution; then to
the Legislature and afterwards to Congress a.
gain. He was subsequently sent to Europe as
our Minister, where he performed most mpor
tant services, and afterwards was selected by
Gen. Washington as his Secretary Of State
He was next elected Vice President, and after
wards President Of the United States. The
C'SHlHS vi MS Has DceH Sptul III lHOSt Ztd
lous and unwearied exertions, in behalf of
great literary institution, for the benefit Of his
native Stale
The most important laws which belong to
our code were prepared by him, and carried
through the Legislature principally by his ef
forts. In advocating some Of them he had to
contend with all the force and obstinacy of BIZ
gotry and long settled prejudices. The frs, at
tack on the establishment ofa dominant religion
was made By him. His act Of religious freedom
has justly procured for him the applause os
the world, | consider it one Of the most i'm
portant innovations and changes upon govern
ment, that has ever been made The public
mind had to be prepared gradually for it. The
act was prepared before Mr.. Jefferson went TO
Europe, and its success in the legislature was
aided very much by the great abilities of the
virtuous and amiable James Madison. Twas,
glorious triumph OF reason and truth, over
the bigotry and Intolerance Of domineering
hierarchy, which had been supported here as it
lad been in every age Of the world, upon the
deep-rooted and strongest prejuGices Of man.
We have seen in other quarters of the world,
where just and rational ideas Of civil liberty
have obtained on every other subject but this,
how difficult and even impossible it has been,
to subdue the spirit of bigotry, and to change
the long settled habits of man in ecclesiastical
government and tyranny. In South America
every effort has failed to introduce religious
freedom. The people there have made our in
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