Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-04-20
JEFFERSON s ANNIVERSAR RY.

April 18th was A great day among
the Democrats of New York. Thomas
Jefferson, the ". President of the
United States, was born at Shadwell
in the State of Virginia, on the 18th
day April, A. D. l743, served two terms
from 1901 to 1909, and died at Monti.
cello, Virginia, July 4th, 1926. In the
present emergency Of the Democratic
party, it is well to recall and recon.
slider the political doctrines and emf.
nent virtues of its great founder. On
last Wednesday there was a general
celebration of the anniversary of this
great mans birth by all Democrats
who believe in the principles he enun.
ciated.
As the author of the Declaration of
independence, upon the principles OF
which the American colonies based the
war against Great Britain, and for the
maintenance of which Jefferson, Han.
cock, Carroll and their brave colleagues
pledged their lives, their fortunes and
their sacred honors, jefferson will be
remembered forever by grateful
country, and the Democratic party
which has followed in his footsteps
may well claim that immortal docu.
ment as the principles upon which
their party is founded. But in addition
to this, Jefferson represented Democ.
racy in other acts and by his own per.
sonal character. He was the author
OF the Virginia Colonial statutes for
religious freedom, the abolition ofI
primogeniture and ieudal distinctions,
and the restoration Of the right of con.
science. These were almost revolu. !
tionary measures in Virginia at that
time, when English aristocraoy ruled
and owned the colony; but he pushed
hem through, though of birth high
enough himself to place HIM among
hat aristocraoy. lie was SO far an
lnti.slavery man, though large por-
ion of his property consisted of slaves,
hat he procured the passage of law
IS long ago as 177S, when he was but
10 years old, prohibiting the importa.
ion of slaves. When Governor of
virginia, during the Revolutionary
Var, he absolutely exhausted her re.
ources in his efforts to benefit the
ommon cause Of the colonies, because
+ his belief in universal freedom. His
ove of freedom, indeed had severer
ests than this. His devotion TO the
Democratic principles of seli.govern.
nent brought him into almost savage
fariare with other statesmen upon
be question of recognizing the French
'epublic, and produced for time the
lormiest epoch in our history. lie
new no middle course in matters of
ieh vital Importance. He believed :
! no superiority by birthright among
len whom God had made. The Di. !
inc Being had not used or apprentice +,
and on one individual and the hand !,
an expert on another In France :,
le Revolution had cast terror over :,
le aristocrats. 1t was in itself an as.
'rtion OF Jefferson's innate conviction n
tho equality OF man. He fought for :
against Washington and Hamilton, 9
nd against even the sentiment of the
hole country, and he gained his
)int. NJ
In his own personal character, JET. 7
rson was the ideal of Democracy. He is
as a devoted thinker upon every sub. d
ct which concerned the rights Of In. el
viduals and an aggressive rcfor ner "
regard to the autocratic doctrines il
hich then prevailed He believed 80 Of
rongly in seli.government that he rc. ri
'rded set government as equivalent b,
a necessary evil, lie enunciated d,
G famous axiom of being governed 30
0 much. He attached no weight to ia
thority except so far as il was nee. v
'ary for the maintenance Of good or. le
T. He was jealous of the rights of c,