Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-09-27

In the purchase of Louisiana, Thomas
Jefferson exhibited himself as wise states
man. but still more pre-eminently, as sa-
gaeious Democrat. 1t is evident, from
all his writings upon this subject, that he
looked more TO " aide spread Of the
blessings Of freedom. than TO the merely
physical development of the country
The yoatng and beautiful West," as he
loved to call it, was principally valuable in
his eyes as being IS nursery Of repubE
canisns,'' because it was an ample home
for indomitable and sturdy freeholders.-
Thomas Jefferson wished TO provided safe
refuge from oppression, to the poor man
of the Atlantic States, and this was his
controlling motive in the purchase ofLou-
isiana. He held all tyranny, aristocracy
and Federalism in utter abomination, and
he struck a deadly blo,v at the whole three
at once, by charging tkat public domain.
,chieh gaze perennial vitality to the
Republic, by a6ording the means Of indie
pendence to honest toll.
Nothing has ever been added to the
Democratic creed as taught by the precepts
and public conduct of Thomas Jefferson.
1t has received signal illustrations from
the vigor and energy of Andrew Jackson,
but in its simple and benignant philosophy,
it came perfect and full grown from the
hands of the sage of Monticello. In every
question which arises the soundest instruc-
ton may be found in the words of wis
dom which fell from his lips.
Texas and the Oregon are portions of
the very same Louisiana territory which
was acquired by him in 1903. If he was
now living, what rebuke would he adj
minister to that modern degeneracy which
is willing to yield them up to Great Bri-
tain, and thereby to curtail that ample pro-
vision for posterity, made by his early and
far seeing sagacity. When our numbers
were scarcely more than fourth Of what
they now are, his vision embraced the then
wilderness Of the Mississippi valley, and
extended over the Rocky Mountains to
L" the endless shores ofthe Pacific" An
mated by the same spirit ofliberty, which
inspired the immortal declaration of 1776,
he wished to establish Sc nurseries Of re-
pubHcanisms' for all generations. Such
was the man who had "s,oorn eternal
hostility" to every form of tyranny. and
who, best understood how to perfect his
own free policy. aimed to secure its per-
petual supremacy by rearing up wide
and increasing circle of defenders in a
happy, prosperous, and intelligent yeo-
many. Such was the man, the benefits
of whose sagacity, modern Federalism
seeks to cramp and curtail. The fathers
opposed the purchase of Louisiana, and
the sons seek to surrender its fairest por-
tions. The hate Of Massachusetts FEEDER
alism is transmitted. undying and immor-
tai. The Quincys and chickering's are
gone, but the Websters and Saltonstalls
are in their places.
" We hare too much land no,c," is
their cuckoo cry. So they said in Jefer-
sons day, and with infinitely greater rea-
son. But Jefferson was not deceived.-
masses, 1t Is impossible TO haze foo much
land. The more land there is the cheaper
it will be, and the cheaper it is the e. s;er
1t IS for the laboring man TO become a
treeholder. Simple as these propositions
are they constitute key to the great poll
cy of Mr.. Jefferson. He wished to con-
fer competence and independence upon
the great masses of the people, and he
took the shortest. most direct, and only
certain mode of effecting his object. The
democracy of the present day. veneraiing
the memory, will take care to consum-
mate the policy of Mr.. Jefferson. Com
pretending, as he did. the evils and fraud
ulent objects Of federalism. they will take
security against it. by planting " nurseries
Of repu6ican;sna'' in all the extent of the
territory which he acquired for his coun-
try.-.augusta me. Age.