Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-08-04

his gifts were princely. His treatment of the
prisoners taken at Burgoyne's surrender was
humane and benevolent almost to fault. in
his own family no man was more affectionate
and indulgent.
He was a stranger to intimidation and fear.
When he saw the path of duty he entered it
without hesitation, and walked straight on, re-
gardesS of cost. He was not man to be
tampered with, bought, or sold. lie was no
craven disciple of eXpediency.
By birth and education he belonged to the
arstocracy, yet in sentiment and feeling he
was a Democrat. He had unlimited confidence
in the masses, and was willing to trust the
government in their hands. During the Con-
federacy, when the people were warmly discus
sing various modes of providing an executive,
in a table talk, there was an eloquent effnsion
in favor of birth as on the whole furnishing
the best chance for suitable head of the gov
ernment. Mr.. Jefferson dersively replied
that he had heard of a university where the
professorship of mathematics was hereditary
Mr.. Jefferson thoroughly American in
his feelings aud views. ssOur country first, y
was one of his notices. And he strove to the
utmost of his ability to promote our commerce,
agriculture, and domestic manufactures. Nor
would he suffer any runous foreign competi-
tion when it lay in his power to prevent 1T.
lie wished to have America in all respects in
dependent of Europe.
But it may be expected that should
speak of his anti-religious character, his athe
ism. We do cheerfully- Never were a
man 'sreIgious sentiments more grossly mis-
repreu, ited than Jefferson's. He was not an
atheisE He believed in God, the Creator of
all things; in his overruling providence, in
finite wisdom. goodness, justice, and mercy.
He believed that God hears and answers pray
err and that human trust in him is never mis-
placed nor disregarded. He believed in fu-
ture state of rewards and punishments. He
h.li o1 h..R md
He had unlimited confidence in the self-sus-
tanning power of truth, and thought that it lost
nothing in being subjected to the seyerest
tests while it gained nothing by the support
of states and privileged hierarchies. 1t should
be remembered that he lived in an n ge distin-
guShed for its free discussion of first princi-
piles. Vigorous efforts were made to throw off
the Shackles of both civil and religious tyran-
ny; jefferson repudiated all tyrants, whether
crowned or mitercd. He boldly asserted the
right of man to think and act tor himself. He
allowed no man to think for him either in pol
itics or in religion. He submitted to no creed
nor formulas of faith. lie yielded to the die
tation of no Church. He ass ociated and cor
responded with the noblest free thinkers of the
age; and none vas bolder than he. He sub
iected every proposition to the severest test of
logic. What he could satisfactorily prove he
embraced all else he rejected.
He overthrow the State Church, and, in con-
sequence. was denounced as us enemy. eI
no man in Washington ever gave so much to
build so many churches Jefferson. True,
he was not Church member; the spirit of ex-
clusivcness, selfshness, and denominational
pretensons repelled him from the Churches ;
yet he respected and cherished the friendship
of truly pious men.
He nerer tcrofe for the puJic eye one lcord a.
gdinst Christianity. At the request of some
friends, and under the special injunction of Sc
crecy. he wrote some structures upon it. Had
he supposed that those letters would ever have
been set up in villainous types, by order OF
Congress, they would never have been written.
Religiousy Jefferson would be claSSed
with the liberal Unitarians. In public and in
private he exhibited the estimabe Christian
virtues. He was OF humble, sincere,
and habitual prayer.
On the 4th of July, 1926, he closed his
earthly career. To his friends he gave assu-
rance that he had no fear of death. He said a:
81 have done for my country and all mankind
/ all that could do; and now | resign my soul
| without fear to my Cod Subsequently, ct
| frequent intervals, he was heard repeating, in
/ Latin, the prayer Of good old Simeon, ssLord
| let now thy servant depart in peace" He ex-
| pired with these words hanging upon his lips
| 'sNunc dimiffiS, Domine.'
| Peace to his ashes Cherished and immor-
| tai be the memory of the wise, good, and in
| corruptible statesman-the model Democrat
and PRESIDENT