The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-08

full Republic, snvisd and hOnored among
the greatest nations Of the earth How
admirAbIy, how radically, how vigorously,
how glOriously he crushed out, in State
and Nation, that Federal party which bore
in its psi0ciples legible traces Of the out
lines of that power the country had just
shaken Off-thst proud and imperious
party, which, in the habits Of its leaders
as well as in the tendency Of its principles,
bore "an awful squirting alta monarchy"
The power, the energy, the vitality, the
loyalty and ability displayed by the Dem
ocratic party for half a century, bears am
pie testimony to the amplitude of his
views and the truth and policy Of his prin-
ciples.
At this point Of time, taking wide
view of all the public acts of his life and
administration, we must accord him great
praise. Like Tbemistocles, in intuitive
sagacity, in ready invention, in prompt
and daring execution, he surpassed all the
men of his time" Unlike other men of
great name, the love Of friends and diSci-
Piles, even the Partially of the party he
spoke into existence, have failed to elevate
him above his great deserts That proud
idea-the Monroe doctrine-which is the
faith Of every true American, was first
conceived in the fertile brain Of Jefferson.
Convinced that this policy was correct, we
H1DSt also sIb that his proud soul could
not brook the idea that the shores Of the
New World should ever be polluted by
the minionS, tools or hireIingS of any mon
arch whatever. Untiring and faithful was
his devotion to the Republican principle
even in the Cabinet Of Washington. lie
carried on the struggle for the then but
halfrecognized principle ofpopufarrights;
and Single-handed and alone, successfully
cOm6attcd the principles and policy of
Hamilton, one of the greatest of danger
Gus men-a man of the most astonishing
powers Of mind, but whose temper, whose
principles, whose original mental endOw-
sments, were all inimical to Democracy,
and proportionably partial to Aristocracy
or Monarchy. This war was conducted
by Hamilton with all the fire of his i'm
petuous and ardent nature.
But the great controversy between Fed
ernlism and Repubicanisln brought JEFF
ferson into collision with other great men
of the Revolution. The long and bitter
conflict with John Adams forms chapter
of extraordinary interest. But in every
scene the character of Jefferson shines out
serene and beautiful. Envy and passion
never found a home in that pure breast.
Well, indeed, may we apply to him his
own estimate of Monroe "If his SOUL"
said he, twas turned inside out not spot
would be found upon it,"
Adams, with mind capacious and pow
erful and full of the stuff Of whcEhe-
roes are madc," had an unfortunate dispo-
Sition. Disappointment lent additional
sourness to his temper, and thus jealousy
and petulancy of passion occasionally dis
figured and obScured his really great char
acter. 1t is, however, pleasing to find
these two great men, though in early and
middle life rivals in every thing of which
men are proud and jealous, in declining
days weaving ,chapletS of reconciliation,
and doing one another that justice which
the sharp edge of younger feelings would
not allow. Adams could, however, never
wipe out the recollection that Jefferson
defeated his fondeSt ambition and crushed
beyond resuscitation the principles and
party Of which he (Adams) was the no
blest champion.
The benefits that Jefferson conferred on
mankind, were not confined to any circle
or any system. His piercing intelligence
ranged through all the avenues Of learn
ing. Wherever wrong was to be righted,
or error to be refuted, there was his pecu-
liar field.
Virginia, for every thing that is whole
some aud vigorous in her constitution, she
owes to him. lie knocked down all the
concomitants of aristocracy remaining in
his native State. Primogeniture, entail,
hierarchy, family consequence-all went
down before his vigorous attacks. His
moral courage which was of the highest
type-was unbounded. lie was always
the fearless advocate of truth and the enc
my of error in every degree. lie ever
manifested the most uhbending opposition
to every species of uSurpation, "because
an illegal assumption Of power is always
at usurpation." Thus he was opposed to
encroachments by any department of our
Government. lie was the constant and
unwavering advocate of the Union, but
Union Of perfect equality. lie favored a
Federal Administration strong for good,
weak for evil aud advocated division Of
power, Of responsibility, and of duty. He
was opposed TO large standing army
Not alone was he the champion of Ma.
tional rights, but Of State rights, of coun-
ty and township rights.
a Democrat every inch, the nearer a
man came to govern himself in that sys-
TEN he saw the greatest order beauty and
efficiency. He loved to pre6gure the fu-
ture glory and power of the Republic
IL would" said he, "erect a column on
the SouthernmoSt limits of Cuba, and in
scribe on it, ne plus ultra, as to us in that
direction. The North would be ours in
the first war, and we should have such an