Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1840-09-19
By NIasser s. Efsely.

DO ical forms and the flexibity of human society.
There are occasions. in which political genius con-
,s,s 1, n,t fearing wha, is new, while what is eter-
nal is respected.
eth. democratic party, not the turbulent and
cosrse democracy of antiquity or of the middle ages,
bu, the great modern democracy, never had more
faithful or more distinguished representative than
Jefferson. A warm friend of humanity, liberty,
and science; trusting in lhor goodness as well as
their rights; deeply touched by the inJusuee ~'h
which the MACS of mankind have been treated, ana
the sufierngs they endure and incessan,y epgaseu'
with an admirable disenterestedness, In remedyihe
them or preventing their recurrence acceP''"s
mower as a dangerous necessity, almost rs one c'h
opposed to another, and excrling himself not ner'-
" TO restrain but to lower i, dstrustne oil dis
play, oil personal splendor, as tendency TO usur-
patton; of temper open. kind, induisent, though
ready TO take up prejudices against and ieel irf'a
ted with, the enemies Of his party of q mind be'd'
active, ingenious, inquiring, with more penetration
than forecas,e, but with too much good sense to
push things TO the extreme and capable oil employ
ing. against a pressing danger or evil. prudence
and firmpess. which would perhaps have prevented
il. had they been adopted earlier or more generally
washington did well to withdraw from pubic
business He had entered upon IT at one OF those
moments at once difficult and favorable. when ns-
tons surrounded ly perils, summon all Their virtue
and all their wisdom 10 surmount them. lie was
admirably suited 10 this position. He held the
sentiment and opinions of his age without siavish-
ness or fsna,icism. The pss lis institutions, it's
interests, i,s manners inspired him with neither
hatred nor regret His thoughts aud his ambition
did not inpstiontly reach iorwsd into the future
The society. in the midst of which he lived, suited
his tastes and his judgment. lie had conhd' nee
| in its principles aud its destiny; but q confidence
enlightened and qualified by an accurate instructive
perception Of the eternal principles OF social order
| He served it with hearliness and independence,
with that combination of faith and fear which ia
wisdom in the sffars of the world, well as before
God. On this account, especially, he was qualified
to go5ern it,, for democracy requires two things tor
its trsneu utility and its success; IT must feel itself to
be trusted and vet restrpined and must bcese alike
1
| in the genuine devoiedness and the moral suPeio-
ri,y of it's leaders. On these conditions alone can
it govern itself while in process of developement
and hope to take a place among the durable and
4 glorious forms of human society |. is the hono
of the American people to have, at this PERIOD un
der TODD and accepted these condition. 1t is .h'
glory of Washington to have been their interpreie
| and instrument
He did the two greatest things which, in poll
tics man can have the privilege s attempting. n
maintained by peace, that independence Of hi
country, which he had acquired by war. He fund
ell free government, in the name of the lrinci
pies of order, and by re-rstsblishing their sway
"When he retired from public life, both task
were accomplished, and he conld enjoy the result
For, in such high enterprises the labor which the
have cost matters but little The sweat of all
toll is dried at once the brow where God place
{ such lsurels.