The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-02
Thomas Jefferson.

Ertract from an address recently dclirered
by c. II. Bunton, Esq, before the Liter
airy Association Of Falls Church, ON
6 Virginia Contributions to the Repub-
1ic."
military renown, of heroic patriotism, of
distinguished achievements in the field of
oratory or letters; or for examples of un-
paralleled craftsmanship, we have no longer
to resort to the historic fields of Marathon
or Waterloo, or to the classic halls of
Greece or Rome, but we have simply to
turn leaf in our own history, and we
find here in our own country and in our
own Commonwealth such examples as are
unsurpassed by those of any previous age,
the thought of which electrifies our hearts
with the profoundest emotions. The name of
Thomas Jefferson is one Of the brightest
that adorns the pages of American history.
Linked as he was with Henry and Wash
ington in laying the foundations of our Re-
public inspired by the same lofty senti-
ments, and engaged in the same
holy cause for liberty, his memory,
together with theirs will ever live and be
cherished in the hearts of great and
prosperous people. Jefferson may presm-
inently be styled statesman. He entered
upon his political career as member of
the House of Burgesses. 1t will be re-
membered that ut this juncture of affairs,
the House was celebrating upon the
American principle of taxation and repre-
sentation, and was, in consequence of this,
dissolved by the Governor, who represent
ed the interests of the Crown. Determined
not to have their object defeated in this
way, they met on the following day at the
memorable Raleigh tavern, and pledged
themselves to a non-importation agreement,
by which they mutually plighted their
vows to forego all the Injuries which they
had been accustomed to import from the
old world. The measures proposed by
Jefferson to ameliorate the condition of the
people were in advance of the popular sem
timent, but by being continually harassed
by parliamentary enactments, the people
were at length compelled to accept the
measures he had previously recommended.
We soon after find him q member of the
Second Continental Congress, and in the
following words he declared the reasona-
bleness Of taking up arms against the un-
Just impositions on the part of the Crown :
sour cause is Just. Our union is perfect.
With hearts fortified with these animating
affections, we most solemnly, before God
and the world, declare that, exerting the
utmost energy of those powers which our
benefcent Creator hath graciously bestow-
ed upon us, the arms which we have been
compelled, by our enemies, to assume, we
will in defiance of every hazard, with una.
bated tirmness and perseverance, employ
for the preservation Of our liberties, being
with one mind resolved to die freemer
rather than live slaves" How exalted the
intellect, how conseerated the heart of hin
who, with almost inspired sentiments
penned that imperishable document, thu
Declaration of Independence. In this pro-
duction Jefferson reached the summit o
his greatness, and this contribution to TIN
world has rendered his name immortal ant
caused it to be cherished by all who's
hearts throb with love of liberty. Mr.
Jefferson also took great interest in educa
tional matters, and to him, more than t.
any other man, is due the gratitude of tn
nation for his wise and philanthropic move
ment to introduce system of free common
schools, which, for some reason, failed t
become an established institution. Ha'
his idea on this great subject been carries