Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-07-23

4
he sail! il was moi himself they haled-tEey iiau
never known him; hrI an imaginary being, @noih
The; had clo.hed with odious attributes, and Ct
ven 10 j, his nGme. The writer could not with
hold snecr al The Democracy for the desecra-
lion OF his monument. tle was, perhaps. mol
aware that part Of his desecraiion had proceed
ed from ihcse who look upon his political princi.
ples as an obstacle 10 their conspiracies against
The Liberties and institutions OF their county,
The table. oil which lie spcais was removed I'M
| III The whole could he better protected trcm The
| dla pida;ons OF thouehtlcss fully The nconside-
rate desires al poiiical a6mi!ers or the :mpoent
malice OF their opponents. Whether 10 protect
his memory from the imrutaiion oil failure 10
comply with any pecuniary engagement, by a
promp, payment Of all his debts, was higher
and more fi!ia duty than monumental display,
those concerned may well leave 10 The cec!sica
| Of the world.
That Jefferson anxionsly desired 10 keep he
University free from secIarian influence, is ,iue !;
but that he desired 10 tree tfrom The influences OF
religion and morality is circulation OF seciaT-
an bigory and political lalsehood, established by
The following extract from The Report OF The
Board OF Visitors 10 The President and Directors
| OF The Literary Fund, and The Two enactmenls Of
The Visitors proceeding lhereirom, VIZ:
"In the same report oil the commissioners o.
| 1918, il was stated by them, that in conformity with
all secs Of religion on an equal footing; with The
ealousies OF lie different srcls in guarding tia;
equality from encrcachment or surprise; and with
the sentiments vi the Legislature in favor of iree-
| dom OF religion, manifested on former occasions,
| they had mol proposed that any Professors Up ol
| Divinity should be established in Tie UniveFsi-
~; that provision, however, was made for giving
instruction in the Hebrew, Greek and Latin Ian
guages-the Repositories OF the original and OF the
earliest and most respected authorities OF The iaiIh
ofevcry scci-and Tor The courses OF ethical lee
lures, developing those moral obligations in which
all sec,s agree that proceeding thus far with
out offence 10 The Constitution, they had lell al This
point, 10 every sect, 10 take into their own hands
line Office Of further instruction in The peculiar e-
nets Oh each.
'lt was nol, however, TO be understood that in
strucon in religious opinions and duties was
meant 10 be pTecluded by The public authorities
as indifferent 10 the interests Of society; on The
contrary, the relations which exist between man
and his Maker and the duties resulting from these
relations, are the most interesting and important
10 every human being and The most incumbent
on his study and investigation. The want OF in
sIuclion in The various cIccds OF religious faith
existing among our citizens, presents therefore
chasm in a general institution Of the useful
sciences. But il was thought that this want and
its own doctrines were evils ol less danger than
permission 10 the public authorities 10 dictate
modes or principles Of religious nstfuction or
than opportunities furnished them Of giving coun-
,enance or ascenGancY TO any one sect over an
other. A remedy, however has been suggested
OF promising aspect, which while il excludes the
public authorities from the domain oil religious
freedom, would give 10 the seciarian schools of
divinity Tie full benefit OF the public provisions
made for instruction in The other branches Of SCI
ence. These are equally necessary TO The Di-
vine as To the other c:yil or professional chaFac-
lers TO enable them 10 fulfil The duties OF their
calling with understanding and usefulness. II
has therefore been in contemplation and suggested
by some pious individuals who perceive the adj
vantage of associa,ing other studies with those OF
religion, TO establish their religious schools on
the confines Of The University, so as 10 give 10
heir students ready and convenient access and
attendance on the scientific lectures OF the
University, and 10 maintain By that means
tho Sc destined for the religious professions on as
high standing Of science, ard OF personal weight
ana responsibility, as may be obtained by others
from The benefits Of the University Such es'ab.
Iishment would offer The luuher and afea. advan-
taer OF enabling the students 81 The CnIveis'yio
attend religious exercises With The professor oil
their particular ssci, either in the rooms Of the
purpose, under impartial regulations, as proposed
in The same Iclorl Of the commissioners,
or in the lecuring room OF such proies.
sor. To such propositions the Visitors are
disposed TO lend willing ear and would think il
their duty 10 give every encouragement By assur-
ing those who might choose such location Tor
their schools, that the regulations Of the UniveI-
siiy should be so modified and accommodated as
TO give every facility Of access and ailendanceto
heir students, with such regulated use also as
mas be permitted 10 he oiher students, Of Ihc Ii
5rary whi \ may b. hereafter acquired, either BY
public or private muniiicencc; hui ALWAYS IN
icrs,anGins hat iLcse schools shall be iniepcrd
ent ii the University and u each other. Such
an arrangement would complete the circle ot use
fu sciences embraced by this institution, and
would fill the chasm now existing, on principles
which would leave inviolaie The constitutional
freedom OF religion The most inalienable aud sa-
cred OF all human rights, over which the people
and authorities Of this State, Individually and pub
licly have ever manifested The most W2lchtul
jealousy: and could hi, jealousy be now alarmed,
in the opinion OF the Legislature by wha, is here
suggested The idea will be relinquished on any sur
mise oil disa pprobalon which they may think
proper 10 express.
r'O' "THOMAS JEFFERSON, Rector"
OctOber I, 1922.
"21 Should the religious secis Of this Slaic, or
aDY Of them, according 10 the invitation held out
10 ihem, establish within, or adjacent 10 the pre-
cincls OF the University, schools OF instruction in
The religion oil their sect, The students OF the Uni
versily will be tree, and expected 10 attend re-
eious worship al The establishment OF their respec-
tive sects, in The morning, and in time 10 meet
their school in the University al lis stated hour.
"2S The students oil such religious schools, II
they attend any school OF the University shall be
considered as students of the University, subject
10 The same regulations, and entitled TO The same
rights and privileges"
This report and enactments were drawn by
jefferson. exist in his own handwriting, and pro-
| cceded directly from himself Ire report OF The
commissioners .nr Gevising plan and locating
! an University in 1919, here quoted was also his
work This report is among The printed docu-
| mcn,s OF the Legislature session lS22-25-23
years ago. The cGacmenis prior 10 the opening
Of the University October, 1924 have been Tor
| % years among the widely circulated printed en-
| ac,menls Of that institution. His assaanis cam
| not be excused on The plea OF ignorance. II was
| their duty 10 have investigated before they IN
Obliged in such biucr denuncialion. The writer
would gladly draw the veil Of oblivion over such
| auemn,s TO prostitute The name Of religion 10 pur-
| poses so unworthy. These assaults have hither-
| 10 been borne in silence, hfping that bgoiry and
malisniiy might weary OF their woT6; but II ap-
pears this hope is not 10 be realized.
This pscudo-chris,ian writer might have been
shown the bed.chamber OF Jefferson, in suite OF
rooms on The first i,or opening on The Southern
brow OF he mountain, delightful ior their cheerful
light and ventilation. Ilc might have had point,
ed out 10 him The spot where, ever al hand s,ocd
his beautifully bound copy OF the "Morals OF Je-
sus," textually extracted by himself, exhibiting
10 The glance Of the eye each verse in four lam
euaees. He might have been told that il was his
habit nightly 10 seek in lis pernsal composure OF
mind from worldly cares. He might have been
shown this chamber Of death, finished in the chasI-
es, STYLE OF GIeclan architecture, where Jefferson
expired in peace with his God and full Of charity
for his fellow .man-wiih a serene placdity wor.
Inv of his well-spent life without pain and
without struggle surrounded BY admirng and
attached friends and domeslics. But he preferred
10 coriurc up a death-scene with the appalling