The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-24


ment the position Of his family respect
able among the aristocras of Virginia--or perhaps
from all combined THOMAS JEFfERsoS early became
Democratic Republican; and from his principles
he never swerved, keeping them unsullied when in
possession Of place and power: the same Democrat
when al the head Of the commonwealth, as when,
quarter of century before, he announced in the
memorable Declaration, thai all men are created
equal"-thai governments are instituted amongst
men" 10 preserve the rights Of men, and derive their
just powers from the consent Of the governed" No
pomp or parade surrounded him as the First Magis-
trate of America; the morning levees-the ceremo-
mails on appearing in public-the raised seat Cd,
viously and purposely havingan analogy 10 throne
into which the Federalisls had seduced WASHINGTON
were swept away. "THoMAs JErFERsoN alone
read on the Presidents card and was the end
and aim Of his government 10 foster The popular
power. He headed the movement, when the most
distinguished Of those who had raised the standard
of resistance against Great Britain We're for estab-
fishing respectable arstocracy that should govern
the mass for their good. In despite Of the most IN
fuential prejudces, and OF occasional popular fol-
lies he never abandoned disposition either in thought
or deed TILL favored by public circumstances, he
lived to public opinion annihilaie the party Of his
opponents. The struggle, however, was severe while
1t lasted and with an nuive arstocratical sagaci-
IT, his opponents directed their chief attacks against
JErFERsoN These, which were not wanting in viru-
lence, wit, or ability rendered him still more con-
spicuous and some individual pecuiarities gave zest
and character TO the numerous pasquinades The
almost sordid plainness Of his public appearance
the singuarity of his red breeches and his alleged
taste for African beauty-aforded fruitful themes
for Jest. The spectacle Of the head OF civilized
community not condescending to veil his disbeliefn
the common creed OF the country, was fruitful
theme of invective, especially nearly forty years
ago. His public invitation to Tom PAINE was ano-
Their topic either for sarcasm or hypocriticai wall
ings and made the distant vulgar conceit that per-
sonage with something like horns and tail had seated
himselfin the Presidential chair of the United States,
Time indeed will reduce him to his true dimensions,
apart from these things; but that time has moi YET ar
rived; for though the traditional instances may be
often forgotten their effects remain. The leader OF
the Democracy is still an object Of hatred TO the party
he opposed, and many are yet animated by the spirit
| of the Kentuckians toast" Damnation to Thomas
Jefferson"
From his retirement, in lsO9t till his death in 1896
the same day with his old colleague ADAMS, and,
strange coincidence! on the fiftieth anniversary OF
the ndependence-JEFFERsoN tasted Oh the pans
and pleasures OF lie; though me pains perhaps
dies of philosophy and the bellies ettres to both of
which he was attached from his youth in cores
pondence with his intimate friends; in the public
respect which was paid him, his opinion being ire
quenty taken upon important affairs by his success
in the Presidentship and in founding the uni
versity of Virginia The i'll success ofths establish
ment at starting-owing to his plan of ruling the
students on his favori'e principle of sefgovernment
may be reckoned as one Of his pains; and when
he found his own nephew amongst the delinquents,
his patience gave way, "and he could not for
bear from using for the first time, he was
now upwards of eighty the language of indigna-
ton and reproach." His celebrity drew on him an
other evil-that Of extensive correspondence with
strangers or indifferent persons, which his habits
would not allow him to neglect but which encroach-
| ed grievousy on his time and comfort The death
of some of his descendants affected him; and he
disturbed by the imprudence OF his son-in-law.-
But the great torment of his declining years pc
cuniary embarrassment. His natural hospitality was
increased, of necessity by the number Of public vi
HE ufafin To i'm lie rrpr ortv
was dependent on slave cultivation; his farms lying
apart were under the management Of bailifs, who
contrived to cheat the man who had bafed factions
and nations; the agricultural distress springng out
of the war that followed his retirement, first nvolv
ed him. these certain entanglers interest and living
beyond the incomings, with heavy loss through
surety rendered him at the close of his life almost
insolvent. To have sold his property, would have
deprived his family Of all pecuniary benefit. Tho.
JEFFERSON therefore became sutton to the legisla
lure 10 dispose Of It by lottery. This was granted
| transient burst of enthusiasm was exhibited in a
subscription, soon as the state Of affairs was pub
lished and the author Of the Declaration Of indie
pendence died with the notion that considerable
surplus would have been realized But some mis-
management took place; the public sentiment eva
porated, the lottery was abandoned; and - is I'M
dersood that the property sold and unso!d is not su
fcient to pay his debts" When this was known,
"strong symptoms of public sympathy were mani
tested throughout the Union" The States of South
Carolina and Louisiana, were, however, the only
ones that did any thing and they secured the only
surviving daughter of Thomas JEFFERoN against in
digence BY sum of about 1900 dollars.
The religion of JEFFERSON seems to have been
pure Thesm; and, if the expressions in his letters
to Mr. ADAMS are TO be relied on as conveying his
belief he lanery had firm conviction of the i'm
mortality of the soul. When questioned, very late
in life, on the subject of his religion, Git must have
| required no common powers of impudence to put
| such questions to such man, he used to answer
| that he was Unitarian.