Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-08-19
From the London Athenam.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.


Amidst the many astounding circumstances,
which attended the outbreak and progress OF
the great American Revolution, not the least
extraordinary was the galaxy of improyised
genius, drawn forth from the obscurity of CO.
lonial neglect. TO carry on the affairs of the G.
mancipated colonies. and to battle the mighty
combinations, military and political, ofthe mo-
Ither country. tits not alone that there were
giants in those days---they were giants sprung
from the soil, and starting into sudden and
matured power and applicability, and the touch
of that ehclianter--necessity. When the
small numbers of the then existing population
are remembered, the manner in which that
population was spread over an immense ex-
tent of surface, the degree to which the best
energies of the individuals were consumed in
a rude struggle with the untamed elements of
nature, and themselves removed alike from the
best means of instruction, and from the quie-
tude Of mind and body necessary to efficient
study--that SO many individuals should have
been found capable not only of conducting the
armies and directing the councils of the new
people, leading it through an arduous strug-
gle to great and crowning victory, but also
of filling up adequately and efficiently the adj.
ministrations of SO many separate states, and
local constitutions, is phenomenon as diff
cult to comprehend as it is unique in history.
In attempting to take account Of the fact, ana
lyze its causes, it seems that every thing con-
nectcd with book learning, and that mental
development which is acquired in schools,
was then afforded by American society in
scanty proportions, and was placed within the
reach of small part only of its members. We,
| .,r>, {cc isInC n
moulded bv that which preceded it with inces-
SAINT care, and both publicly and privately train
KID to run with eXactness in narrow and pre-
scribed grooves, are apt to confnc our notions
of cducationto theone principle of incucatlon,
whom that species of training is deficient must
necessarily be rude and uncivilzed. But if
the American colonies were unlavorably cir
cumstanced in that respect, they were admira-
bly, situated for another and more important
species of development, which is selfprodu-
ced in the intellectual faculties of man, thro'
the instrumentality of his emotion. The orr
ENnal Anglo-American stock was principally
composed Of men driven from home to pcrse-
cution, to seek for liberty in the uncultivated
wilds Of an unexplored land; and it was main
ly recruited from those of the most ardent and
reflective temperament among their country
men. The outcasts---at least tho majority of
them. were of that impracticable and indo-
cile race which, feeling deeply, and willing,
strongly refuse to surrender their consclences
or their institutions at The bidding ofauthority.
They carried with them, to their new home IN
the desert, moral world of their own, and a
susceptibility to the profoundest and most en-
ergizing impressions of which humanity is ca
bo; tl,,c copctifnto1 tho Noyy
World was fit habitation. Nature, in all her
gloomy grandeur, afforded incessant dangers
to be encountered, obstacles to be vanquished,
and imagery to excite, to nourish and expend
reflection. To men thus circumstanced, the
event of every days life sufIiced to exercise
their intelects, to excite deep emotions, to ORR
ginate new ideas and keep alive their spirit of
independence, and susceptibility to moral
truths. The Americans were, indeed, the tru-
est descendants of their Saxon ancestors re-
turned to their woods; but carrying with them
large portion of the moro quickening ideas
which civilization of many centuries had a.
Weakened. As yet, national prosperity, and
successful commerce, the high tension oftheir
intellectual fibre, nor tied down their faculties
to tho material combinations conceived in the
acquition of wealth. Amongst such people
selfeducation was spontaneous and necessa-
nv result;---for to feel strongly, and to think
deeply, are cause and consequence; and the
pressure ofexternals powerfully contributed to
ensure the effect. Among the masses of the
American population, it is energy or volition,
and not what we, in these days, so greatly adj
,nire under the name of "uscful knowledge"
which fitted them for their revolution; and
when the more favored few added TO these pc
culiarities moderate share of European edu-
cation, they were placed in the most happy
position for becoming active citizens and dis
tinguished thinkers. We do nc: mean TO saw
that this REASONING contains inc whole truth,
nor to flatter ourselves that we have solved the
problem which had led MS to the train OF re-
Election. In every great movement which mas
convulsed society, men have started into no
tice peculiarly adapted to carry on the Work
in hand.---This very evidently depends to 2
great degree, upon the necessary order when
places the thought before the acion.--Ihe ldea
of an important change must have snbsisted IN
society for some time before the. public VIII
calls into action; and thus men are prepared
for the task which is allotted them. But then,
on the other hand, the occasion, to certain de-
gree, makes the man; and when a movement
has once commenced, and there is strong de-
mand for peculiar quantity of intellect or OF
character, those who are possessed OF 1t arc
induced to come forward and exhibit them-,
selves; and the "village Hampdens' and
ssmute inglorious Miltons," who would other
wise have died at home and give no sign,, are
adopted by their we, and enabled to shine
forth, to do, and to be renowned. One way
or other, stirring age is always prolific OF
great men; and whether they be Bonapar'es'
and Neys, or Franklins, Washingtons, and
Jeflersons, depends, in a great degree. on the
nature of the movement, and the qualities OF
which it iswanting.
Prominent among the great men OF the A.
mcrican revolution, was THOMAS JEFFERSON
who, distinguished as he ultimately became as