The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-09
politica, Reform-whcre to Begin Il

of our political faith, uttered this grand
truth "True political reform must begin
in the township" No grander or more
pregnant words ever fell from his lips, or
were recorded by his powerful pen. Yet
many who are loud in his praise, and do
reverence to his memory by outward
marks of respect and generation, know
nothing of the real philosophy which he
taught. Like the Scribes and Pharisees
who gave tithes Of mint, anise and cum
min, but neglected the weightier matters
of the law, these modern disciples Of JEFF
ferson minister at the shrine of his memo
ry only to secure some advantage to them
selves from his great and commanding
fame. Jefferson's name is respected and
hallowed wherever freedom, science, and
human progress find home. His fame
will grow with all the coming years. The
generation that will fully understand and
appreciate him is not yet born, perhaps
but the day will surely come when from
empty adulation we shall turn to the ae-
ceptance and practical application of the
great doctrines which he taught. These
are all sufficient to revolutionize our pol
itics in the interests of freedom, purity
and healthful progress.
The principle announced at the outset in
this article is what especially needs to be
applied to our present condition. Virginia.
protesting local selfgoyernment, has been,
and still is, a notable instance of central
lied power. The state and the county
absorbed all powers, and left the people
ignorant, irresponsible and helpless. The
life was eaten out of Virginia by the cancer
of Capitalization. Now Jefferson taught
the reverse of all this. The township was
the essential, and indeed the foundation Of
his political organization. The local neigh
borhood of convenient size was to do
everything which did not involve the rights
of the county or the state. Here men
could meet face to face, and canvass all
questions Of roads, schools, and local po-
lice regulations. Here in the presence Of
each other, and the difficulties with which
they had to deal, wise and sagacious expe-
dents, and cheap and direct methods, were
sure to assert themselves. Thus practical
and capable legislators would be educated
to consider the larger interests of counties
and states. The township, enabled by its
limited area to assemble its voters in meet
ing, gives us a pure democracy, which is
the purifying ocean Of the political acorld.
sending up its refreshing currents into
every vein of the body polite.
The townships protect themselves by
jealous watchfulness against others,
against the counties, the state and the
nation. These latter only exist legiti-
mately to guard the township from harm,
as the former exists to protect its MEM
bers and advance their interests.
This is Jeferson's doctrine. The con-
trary of all this is the doctrine and prac-
tice here, and to some extent in all the
states. In New England and in some west.
ern states. by happy chance, a better
state of things obtains, and township gov
eminent exists in better form, though fal
from the perfect ideal Of Jefferson. WI
have all been thinking too much about tn
nation and too much about the state
The popular mind has wandered from th
true rock of safety, to follow the uncer
tain leading Of mere sentiment.
We can never prosper greatly till W
: turn our backs upon these delusions an
manfully seek new basis upon which t
found our politics. Nan is the grand oh
jective of all true craftsmanship. Tha
society soh,ch protects and depelops him be-
as as highest aim. The township perfect
organized with varied industries and all nc
BILE opportunities Of culture within its ow
limits, alone fulfills this function.
Here then we have practical directio
in our efforts to reform and purify politics
We may LET the nation and the state alor
for while and give our attention to the'
integral political units. Take care Of Il
minutes and the hours will take care
themselves. /" Take care of the Toionshill
and the Nation and the States are SAT
What then is the model of true townsh
as defined by Jefferson and required
the spirit of his works? That we sha
frx, 10 chou, Of onathar tipna