Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-08
O 80 @ Fr.y.r,----
MIR. WERsrER,s EuLoGY


After succinci narrative of the public seryi-
ces OF Mr. Jefferson, the takes the following
eloqent notice OF the close OF the lie of that ye-
nerated man:
From the time of his final retirement from
public lite In 1907, Mr. Jefferson lived as became
wise man Surrounded by aiieciionate friends,
his ardor in the pursuit of knowledge undiniuish-
ed, with uncommon health and unbroken spirits. he
was able to enjoy largely the rational pleasures of
he, and TO partake in that public prosperity
which he had 20 much contributed 10 produce =
HIS kindness and hospitality, the charm of his
conversation, the ease OF his manners, the extent
OF his requirements, and especially the full store
! OF Revolutionary incidents, which he possessed,
and which he knew when and how to dispense,
rendered his abode in high degree attractive TO
his admirng countrymen, while his high public
aud scientific character drew towards him every
intelligent and educated traveller from abroad
Both Mr. Adams and Mr.. Jefferson had the pea
sure oil knowing that the respect, which thew so
largely received, was not paid to their official sta
hons. They were not men made great by Office;
but great men, on whom the country, for its own
benefit, bad conferred office. There was that in
them, which Office did not give and which the re-
linqulsIDeni OF Office did not, and could not take
away. In their retirement, in the midst of their
ieilow-citzcns, themselves private citizens, they
enjoyed as high regard and esteem as when filling
the most Important places of public trust
" There remained TO Mr.. jefferson yet one o.
ther wo'k OF patriotism and beneficence; the es
Enlistment OF university in his native State
10 this object he devoted years of ncessant and
anxious attention, and by the enlightened beraItv
OF The Legislature OF Virginia, and the co-opera
ton OF other able and jealous friends he lived tn
see 1t accomplished. May all success attend this
infant seminary; and may those who enjoy its adj
vantages, as often as their eyes shall rest on the
nei6hboring height, recollect what they owe to
their disnteresed and ndelatigsble beneiactor.
and may letters honor him who thus Iabored in
the cause OF letters.
8 Thus useful, and thus respected, passed The
ola age OF Thomas Jefferson. But time was on
ITS ever-ceaseless wing, and was now bringing the
last hour of this iIlusrious man. He saw i,e an
prodch with undsturbed serenity. He counted the
moments, as they passed, and bebeld that his last
sands were falling. That day, too, was at hand
"mch lie had helped to make immortal One
wish, one hope-if it were not presumptuous
beat IN his iaining breast Could il be so: mich,
II please God; he would desire; once more; to Zee
me sun; once more TO look abroad on the scene
around INN, on The great day of liberty Heaven.
IN It's mercy, fulfilled that prayer. He saw tb,,
sun; he enjoyed its sacred light; be thanked God
Tor his mercy, and bowed his aged head TO the
grave. FeHr, non uit0 tantum cIaritate.
SEQ etldm 0ppOytuRitute mOrtis'"
lhe Discourse closes with the following anima
ting exhorlation 10 practical imitation of those
public virtues, and that love OF liberty. that had
been The themes Of his euIogy
- ana now, fellow-citizens, let us moi retire
from this occasion, without deep and solemn
convic ion OF the duties which have devoIved
upon US This lovely land, this glorious liberty
these benign institutions, the dear purchase of oy
fathers, are ours to enjoy, ours TO preserve
ours TO transmit. Generations past and generations
TO come, hold US responsible Tor this sacred rms,
Our iathers from behind, admonsh US. with ,boir
anxious raIernal voices pOsteriiy calls out 10 MS
from TIC bosom Of the future, the world turns bitb
er It's soiicIlous eyes all, all coniure us TO aet
wisely, and faithfully, In the relation which I'VE
sustain We can never, indeed, pay the debt which
Is upon us; but Ivy virtue by morality, by relpio,
ny We cultivation OF every good principle and
every good habit; we may hope to enjoy 'he bles. |
sing' through our day, and TO leave II uoimpsi,ed
10 our chIdten. Let Us feel deeply how much I'll
What we are and OF what we possess. we o,ve ,n
MS liberty, and these institutions OF Goy9,rcer',
Nature has, indeed given US q soil, which ,ielI,
Do1nteousiy TO tLe hands of industry the r,i,t,.
ana iuIiiul ocean IS before u, and the skies 0vrr
our heads shed beallh ard vigor. But what a,sI
ahu', a"d seas, and skies, 10 civilized man with
Dui society, without kuOwledge, wiihonf ,uo,sIs
"lhoui religious culture aud how can these a.,
'hJojeu III al their extent, End all their ep
eiience' but under The protection OF wise mai.
ulons and Free Government Fsllo,.
Iiizens' there ~ no one OF US there Is not one If.
IS here present, who does not, at this moment. 49,,
: every moment experience, in his own con,iiion