Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-05-16

citizens, this was the mighty power, winch the arm oil
him whom commemorate was raised to conquer,
Hard the struggle, yet Jefferson succeeded; nhu
this huge monster which had otdcd II Tor ages, was
made to fall PROSTATE the DUST and covering before
truth and reason he9 aghast from people resolved 10
be free. What triumph! and how grateful should be
thanks to him. wic Tor the vi'est torture ana y
ranny of the mind substituted Religious freedom, ahu
secured the privilege Of worshppng God III our
way with all our hearts, and after tue manner mat
we deem most acceptable 10 hun ne eAahpie mus
by Virginia the passage oi the biii establishing
Religious Freedom, soon after followed by The
other colonies II was read throughout Europe, circa
lated in every land; and, with the exception o the De
claralon OF Independence, no single paper ever pro
duced such 4 sensation
Could VIC stop here, we should assign 10 Jefferson
the proudest rank amid The sons Of Fame. But our
task is not vet done, and must still continue ITO
wreath his brows with laurel.
How comprehensive his philanthropy, when amid the
harrassng circumstances aud doubtful destiny oil ms
own connirv he could vet look beyond It's lims, ana
apply his mind The relief of the oppressed HIS bill
asserting the rights OF EXparaion rst told The mon
archs OF Europe that they had such property III hcr
subjects, could compel them To remain citizens oil
their respective empress but they had the inherent
right of emgrang TO other lands and seeking their own
homes for themselves and their postery; thus nvi'
ting 10 the shores Of America, the oppressed aad The
exile from every cline.
But how much brighter far becomes has philanthropy,
when even at this time, find his mighty sPtrit no
vernp er the shores OF distant Africa, hroodng
the condition OF her Ill iaed race, and planning
measures of relief. As early rs l11o, we lind our an
mails graced with the passage OF bull by Jefferson, abo
shing the African slave trade, and denouncng 1t as al
war with every principle Of justice, aud humantyas at
war with Nature and with Natures God And while such
was the proud position OF Virginia on this subject,
fod The English Parliament long after, debating this
matter, and twenty nine years elapsed before they
would follow glorious example .-Yes, fellow cit
zens, Virginia the pioneer this great undertaking.
and Jefferson the first, throughout the
world 10 in this matter, preceding even WILDER
force, for whom the honor claimed, by at least
twenty years
To all who aunt this subject, would respect
fully present the history of that day.
But let turn 10 England, and ask, why, on Tins
subject, "a change has come Ger the spirit OF her
dream
Does she remember that her Parliament for fourteen
long debated this question, before II would re-
nounce this ungoly traffic. Does she remember, That
the African slave trade expired in Virginia IN l"o
while i, was prohibited by England, only IN loO1, twen-
ty-uine years after Why, them does she now clam
tue exclusive privilege Of protecting Africa why
rampe upon the laws Of nations TO effect this object
Is her heart Overlooking with sympathy, and can she
find no tit subjects for lis exercise at home; Summon
the children from her factories, the golfers from her
mines array them before you, and ask the question:
sis it her adherence OF slavery? Turn TO her slaves
Of India and YOU have their response ls II her holy
horror of injustice and oppression Look you at the
swollen throuts of the helpless Chinese, crammcd with
opium, and avail; their reply.
What then, is the cause OF the course OF TINS linpe-
rous tyrant of the seas? Is it necessary that she
should cothe herself in the garb OF hypocrisy, that
che may exercise powers at war with the spirit OF the
age Shall love for Africa, whose rights were the
first 10 vindicate, preteIt tor her to
stop ships the highway Of the deep, play nqui-
sior all their affairs, aud shape their course as
her pleasure may dicate3 No, never, the response
fevery patriotic heart.
In continuing, fellow citIzens, TO trace the career OF
IL E..IL
with the history of his country that to portray the one
IS merely give narrative of the other. Scarcely
prominent event, in which he had not some distinguish
ed agency and find him constantly filing HE high
est stations, and dschargng the most laborous
trusts with single eye the welfare of his country
Yet fancy not that his life one OF security, or oil
comparative ease. Elected Governor OF Virginia IN
1919, see HIM acting such throughout the dark
days of the Revolution, when we were unable TO
oppose hirelnr soldiery; when own shores were
invaded, and cites plllaged; when Arnold and
Phillips and Cornw allis aud TarIeon, laid waste our
lands; and the headquarters OF the enemy were Tor
time the very spot from which address you
When our Legislature driven from county 10
county, and Jefferson hunted like fugitive from JUS
tce-pian after plan laid 10 ensnae him. yet they
failed Of success and, finally, weary OF the chase, we
find the enemy taking up their abode in his own
dwelling, and manes,ng their hatred OF The patriot
by deeds which disigure the pages OF history; for, I"
The horrors Of war; they added the theft of his slaves
But vengeance followed the tracks Of our invaders,
retrbution came at last Heaven smiled upon our
cause, and Peace spread her wings over the land
With peace canc duties of the most important and
arduous characerand again, see this mighty spri,
marching first among The foremost on the theatre OF
action again elected 10 Congress, which he had left
soon after the Declaration OF Independence he re
turns il after lis object accomplished Leaving
II Congress of colonies, he returns to it Congress
of the United States OF America. oh what u joyful
recognition How sweils the heart, choking all NJ
terance, when again meet that patriot band, who, To
4 tt,I, H. co.
tunes and their sacred honor how, with grateful
hearts they gave their thanks 10 Heaven.
Constantly occupied while in Congress, and eSer-
cisng an impor;ont influence over every measure
which came before him, find Jefferson, IN l7o5 una
nmously chosen Minister 20 France, and bidding
adieu TO his country, 10 promote her interests IN
foreign lands
Follow him there fellow citizens and see Il amid
the gorgeous pomp of ROYALTY, gay saloons OF Pnrs
he ever, for Il moment, forcets his country. No,
never-not act, bnt II adds us,re 10 the coun!ry
which sent him. He inculcates her principles, and
promotes her literature lie manages her commercial
and foreign relations in manner honorable 10 her.
and creGitabe TO hr,selfat most important and crit
cal period-tor then dGwninr the French Rcvolu
lion. Though surrounded by difficulties and dangers
the representative of people, whose Government was
organize, and who sandered throughout
Europe, BENG in state OF anarchy al home, soon
10 be followed hy intestine wars-we yet find him
boldly asserting and maintaining her rights, and claim
ing for her the rank which she now enjoys. Indeed,
opportunity OF serving his country escapes him
He makes known every Improvement, and strives TO
nculcate love of the arts. Philosophy, archiec-
ture, painting, and sculpture, engage his attention,
and he 4oors 10 transplant, them 10 The wiids of Ame-
RIGA Nor is the husbandnan iorgotten-ever an ob
iect of his peculiar care. To him, he forwards such
specimens of the product Of other lands he deemed
congenal climate, together with many varieties
Of those which already used
Do not these abors proclaim hm truly American,
and show that his country was ever pppermost IN his
Thoughts But did want other evidence, II is near
Mt hand For though IN France, when our Federal
Constitution framed, he was chiefly instrumental
IN having it adopted; urging its unconditional accept
ance by all the States He did this, and yet was not
satisfied with lis provisions; bat feared 10 refer II back
TO new Convention, lest he should thereby leopard
the whole and retained j, its then FORM looking for
ward to future amendments. And, fellow citizens,
history awards Jefferson the glory Of having added
the amendments to our Federal Constitution How
true patriot how devoted Republican was tc, who
though absent, ever present, watching over the
interests Of his country II you would seek the purest
ID III tic IN