Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-18
TDe Constitutional gaIbto.
Extract from DIR. Biddlc,s Eulogium on Thomas
Jefferson


cat Tie expiration of his second term of serv;c,
e"eiSoh oecneo reelection, and ing 10 his
iarn, ut Monticello resumed the fayorite studies and
occupations from which his public dutiea had SO lou.
"i'hheo bn On this spot, cEteared by attachments
which had descended with it from his ancestors and
scarcely less cherished from lie Embellishments witt,
winch is own taste had adorned it, ON this elevated
secision OF which more than forty wears AFRO (,h,s.
teileuS bad sad 't seemed as if from his rouih be h,
placed his mind as he had his house upon high situa-
'on, from which he might contemplate the universe
ne appears 10 nave realized ali that the Imagination
can CONCEIVE OF happy retirement, ,hs, blessing after
which all aspire, but few are destined TO enjoy
There lies IN the depths of every heart that dream of
our youth and the chastened wish of manhood which
neither cares nor bouours extrpuigh the hone
OF one day resting from the pursuits which absorb u.s.
OF interposin9 between old age and the tomb some
i"ahquii mteIVai oil reflection, where, with feelings
no. 1uooued out soened, with passions exhausted
out heAowed, we may look calmly the past without
regret and the future without apprehension But in
the tutnu of the world this vision forever recedes nc
we approach IT. the passions which have agitatcd our
lie disturb our latest hour and men 20 down to tho
tomb, like the into the cean win no nentIe nj
gradual withdrawing of the light of life bacl, tn
the source which gave IT, but sullen its beaness
decent W,'o all ITS merry glow long after has lost its
power ana ISL spiendour.-Not SO JefTersou-He was
the hTst to announce that years had produced an eff
.sct certainly not sensible to Others, and 10 obey the
n nuce "hhn which warned him into private life
there, surrounded by all that give ustre or en;ov
heh TO existence, an exalted reputation universal es
tce' The means Of udulging in the studies most con
genai 10 hl, numerous and atFec;ionate family on
Vened by the pilgrimage of strangers who fastened IN
see what they had so long venerated, n correspon
dence that still preserved his sympathics with ,he world
nc hao eit, blessed with all The consultations which
gently slope the decline OF life, he gave up to phiIos
ophca repose the remainder Of that existence
protraced beyond the ordinary limits ASSIGNED IN no
,ut II was not in his nature 10 be unoccupied and
MS last years were devoted TO enterprise every
worthy OF his character. Aware how essenta,I,, frno
institutions depend the diffusion of knowledge he ON
deavoured to establish his native state a seminar
VI learning; ana ms success may be in the rsin
prosperity OF The University of Virginia. his last and
GROWING work, which has scarceIy an eouaI in H.
annals OF science. Such institutions have aeneyaIo
oeen FOUNDED by sovereigns whose merit lay in eivip1
ts liberal direction 10 portion of the pub lie re-
venue; by wealthy individuals who bestoy the sinner
iuity which they enjoy in this world nor Co.,
10 Tie next; by the founders of secs who thus
uate their PRIDE IN the diffusion of their doctrines
nut 'he zeal Oh Jefferson was az dsnerested as his
success was extraordinary To operate on the mis-.
cellaneons and variable materials of all arpa o,b
oouies 10 excite them to due conception of This greet
undertaking 10 stimulate them in its progress and in
iosln INTO them ms own enthusiasm conciIate their
good viii towards expenditures far exceedin, tl;r
original expectations all these, which would have CO.
cuped and rev arded The whole life of an ordinary man
were lie work of few years of the old ane of Isfr
SOD. OF this magnificent scheme much oT ts honor
Is due TO the legislative bodies who Welded IN Ira
sanitary influence OF his counsels; but the cief ner
II Us undoubtedly his, and 10 him especially b. onrs
the rare glory of founding university ms nuIe
fountain OF general knowledge, and perverted bv no
obliqntes of political religion doctrine and tar
nIsncd by no narrow selfish rurpose
wv nh these delightful OCCUPATIONS rero or,,.E,I
soothed the declining years of life which had been
more than that of almost all other men emnontI,,
nc VI 'u"9hne ana OF unVaTylng prosperity. But it
was well said. let man be deemed },,,nr ,;II -;
oeath; tor even on the verge of his TRANQUIL existence
there was found room enough TO plant that nano yh;
seeFcd reserved at the closing hour to avenoa Tho
equahtles OF fortune. This IS unwelcolne theme
but the history of his life imperfect without il ami
perhaps his country which often profed by liz cur,
cesses may yet learn something from his uisfortnnps
he long career of public employment yhc, sspsrafcd
MN from his domestic concerns, the incornne,encw
oi tue Condiments annexed TO his stations the ds,ioc
ton which compelled him TO the exercise of s,nnIa
yet cosby hospitality these with accidental disasters
hau so impaired his fortunes, that the shades of are
and IEl9nity were gathering round him. there came ~,
and sat down beside his hearth the COLI enJ snect-al
form of poverty. In the Injuries of abundance mo-,
disregard that stern but distant benr whose nvseion
they think should be repealed by economy or dsarrn
cd by resignation But these sautary truths cannot
always rePress the terroTs OF this Startling intruder
lhey VINO have not known prosperity may gO on unre-
pning t life is exhausted i'll the habual struggle "
'heir desny But 10 those who born 10 afFluence
whose habits have soitened under its Influence 81
whose cultivated minds render then douby sens IT,
me happiness OF all around them, the change comes
with an almost overwhelming reality Tbev co. IL
weakness TO whose wants they ministered vet fol
the decay OF their power 20 relieve il; they mari 80
by one The silent abstraction of those en,nv ner
Soo'heu .ue 'onrm'tes OF our nature. TIL at enrfb
hey are ie to brood in despair over the ,yrecs &c
fallen fortunes which they did not make vet cannot re-
pair This affection in all IFS acuteness, NOT for him
seI' out Tor those who depended on him. seems to have
oeeu 'ne 10. OF Jefferson But the philosophy which
DO had cultivated teaches men to make their own do
my 70 be Gnmoved by prosperous or adverse events
ana 10 bear the ills of life, incidents 10 its naInre
sent TO warn, but not to subdue u.s. lie was f,i,Iri
to these principles and as success had nev
his sGuanimiiy, adversely only display ed in him the dc
NIFTY OF misfortune His descent from power info ne 80
cry aested h's purity and his devotion to the public
disregard Of personal interests lie tbereSor i,I
responded nor complained, but prepared with scr1
pu'ou8 deIity to surrender his earnings and his rsri
hony his chosen home the of bis attachments
session which would still survive The claims Of Justice
ana furnish last refuge and grave. The knowledge
OF II aroused his countrymcn 10 efforts which but for
his deaih might have relieved him. BUTT is not les
worthy OF ls country consider whether this nade-