The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-07-13
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.
President Jefferson and the Principles of Liberty

President Jefferson and the Principles of Liberty
Thomas Jefferson-a of great originality of thought
and metaphysical and philosophical turn of mnd-after
having the ak at the ap-root of all previous ideas of Govern
ment by enuneang the Declaration of independence that
"These truths ue hold to be Seevident; that
CREATED EQUAL and endowed by their Creator Nth
INALIENABLE RIGHTS, among which , LIBERTY, and
the pursuit Of hoppnes not likely to remain content with
an fabric of government fashioned too strictly unon mon
archca model could he do for starting with pre-
misses radically anagonsc to those adopted by English
statesmen logcan he would necessarily be conducted
different conclusions.
In the severe and bitter campaign of 1900 between
Mr. Jefferson and the elder Adams the representatives of
the two opposing political schoosRepubcan and Federal
the former was elected President and in his Inaugural of
the next year. he said
about enter felow-czens the exercise of duties
which comprehend everything dear and valuable you it
proper you should understand what deem the essential prn
cipes of government and consequently those which
ought to shape its administration will compress them
within the narrowest compass they will BEAR stating the
general principle, but not all its limitations.
Equal and exact justice to all of whatever state per-
suason, religious or political
"Peace commerce and honest friendship with all nations
entanging alliances with none;
The support of the governments in all their rights
the competent administration for domestic con-
cer and the sures buwarks against antRepubican tend
encies;
"The preservation of the General Government in its whole
constitutional ygor the sheet anchor of peace home
and safety abroad ...4.=
GA jealous of the right of election by the people,
"a mild and safe corrective of abuses which Topped by
the sword of revolution where peaceabe remedies unpro
vided
"Absoue acqescence the decisions of the naqoy the vital
principles of republics from which appeal but force
the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism
GA weldscpned militia best reliance in peace and
for the first moments of till regulars may relieve them
"The supremacy of the civil the military authority
Economy IN the public expense that labor be lightly
burdened;
"he honest payment of debts and sacred preservation
Of the public faith;
Encouragement of agriculture and of commerce as its
handmade
"The diffusion of information and arraignment of all
abuses at the bar of public reason;
"Freedom of religion freedom of the and freedom
of the person. under the protection of the habea corpus
Sand trial by juries impartiay selected
These principles form the bright constellation which has
luton and reformation The wisdom of sages and blood
of heroes have been devoted to their attainment They
should be the creed of political faith the of civil
instruction. the touchstone by which to the services of
those rust and should wander from them in
of and ALARM let hasten steps and
regain the road which alone leads to peace liberty and
safety"
In letter John B. Colvn in 1S1O-Mr Colvn having
asked his opinion in relation the duties of executive Off
in certain emergencies of In this letter
he said:
"The question you propose whether circumstances do
sometimes occur which make it duty in officers of high
trust to authorities beyond the law easy of so-
ton in principle but sometimes embarrassing in practice
strict observance of the written laws doubtless of the
high duties of good citizen; but it is the highest The
a's Of necessity Of sepresyoion Of sang country ooen in
pulous adherence to written law would be lose the law
ITSELF with life liberty property and all those who enjoy
ing them with thus absurdy sacrificing the end to the
means"
When raitorous like Aaron Burr in 1906 or like
Jefferson Davis in 1861 conpire undermine and overthrow
the Government which should be preserved in all its
sttional the sheet anchor of peace home
and safety abroad Mr. Jefferson would deal with them in
no kid glove, mk-andwater spirit for the question:
whether executive officer justified such times in
selzng notorious conspirator he emphatcay answered.
There can be but two opnions of the guilty and their
accompGces, the other of honest men,"
In concluding this article may add that Mr. Jefferson
was thoroughly antsavery He despised the nstu-
n0n ana all Its legitimate fruits from the depths of his soul
dle oeeyea IN the people, had faith in the people, and
Upe an combinations, aristocrace oligarchies, monopo
lies and parties that gotten up opposition to the best
d G b the people He hated treason and ignored trail
him. and Of the political party he was onnosed to Bnrr
reue MN as traitor to his country, and therefore,
enemy or e people and he was charged by Burr and his
friends with encouraging and organizing the influence which