The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-05-26

Jefferson among the great infdels this
country has produced. History seems TO
warrant this statement. The pious Stark
County Democrat frequently reminds
Republicans OF Bob IngersolPs religion"
with a sneer. Yet Bon agrees with old
Thomas on the subject of religion. Bob
defends his own remarkable position by
pointing to Thomas Jefferson, who also
turned up his nose at the Bible and God.
The Democrat devotes at least column
OF it's alleged truth and justice" space
very week to old Jefferson, wildly insist
ing that he is the veritable pap" OF the
Democratic party. 1t sneers at the inh-
'1el Bob in paragraphs, and puhs the In
fidel Jefferson in columns; while on an
other page, all by its precious sell, 1t
prints the sermons OF the acrobatic Tai
mage. We have no desire to open up
religious discussion, but insist that Ehen
the Dem crat desires to sneer at b 10 In.
gersoll and his religion" it shall not
direct it at RepubliCsns.-RepOStory 2Oth'
Bob Ingersoll is one Of the great lead
ers OF the Republican party. OF that
there is no dispute. There is no dispute,
either, that he is the greatest blackguard
in America.
Ingersoll's TRADES against Christianity
pay we'll 1t is said his stuff nets him
twenty to thirty thousand dollars a year.
This o.laborer with satan and Garfield
is just the man to be Republican leader.
And the Repository Mckinley editor wko
wears brass collar, is just the fellow to
defend him from our "sneers." They
are lovely set, including sataDl
Ingersoll, the Mckinley editor, satan
and company have long been engaged in
libeling the character Of Thomas Jeffer.
son; the great father Of the Democratic
party; the author of the Declaration of
Independence; the author Of the statutes
Of Virginia securing religious liberty in
that state; the friend of "equa' and exact
jnstice to all men Of whatever etate or
persuasion, religious or political
The old New England Federalists in
1900 denounced Jefferson as an infdel,
and howled at him all sorts of lies,
saying, if elected he would burn the BIZ
bic and play havoc with the churches.
He never wrote nor lectured against
Christianity; but was the great cham
pion of religious liberty, saying: II have
"sworn, upon the altar of God, eternal
"hostility to every ,orm of tyranny over
"the mind Of man." In cne Of his ad'
mirable letters to his grandson, he ad-
vises the young man to deep and care
full study of the Bible and of the Charac-
ter of Christ. Was this like the roaring
blackguard Ingersoll2
Thomas Jefferson was not bigot. His
mind was not narrowed down to a Sec
tartan rut, He was ever the plain, amia-
BILE, high.minded American citizen. In
social life he faithfully carried out his
Democratic principles. He discarded
every advantage which his birthright
gave him, and mingled familiarly with
the people. The aristocratic tendencies
of our government under the previous
Federal rule he efeCtually wiped out.
He ahhorred the trappings of authority
and ceremonies Of state, and was always
plain, Thomas Jefferson, not even "Mr.
Jefferson"
Thomas Jefferson interfercd not with
the religious views Of others, as does the
brawling Bob Ingersoll, N moneyed
consideration could have induced him to
play such a part. Bob Iugersoll and
the Mckinley Repository set may turn
up Il cir delica e noses It the Bible and
tiod, but not o did The mas Jefferson.
Ill en- famil ar with him we're charmed
with the Cou esy of his demeanor; and
foreigners OF distinction pronounced
"the country gentleman OF Virginia the
most accomplished man of his epoch"
1t affords US pleasure to vindicate the
name and fame of Thomas Jefferson
from The foul aspersions of brawling
blackguard like Ingersoll; the brass CO..
Jared Mckinley editor, and the old Fed
eral Repository. That paper has ever
been malignant opponent of Jefferson
and his principles. He was reformer,
and had no respect for claims of right
founded upon prescription. With him,
"the safety and welfare of the people
were the supreme law" He was opposed
to force or strong government, believing
the world was governed too much. And
above all, he opposed monopoly AID rob.
berry through law, and advocated equal
ity before the law.
With all due respect to our Christian
clergy and professors, if they would
make Christianity more practical mat.
ter there would be fewer infidels. The
trouble is, there are so many PROCESSING
Christians who, while they believe the
Bible, regard so little the will of Christ.
'hrist was no respecter of persons. He
" no man worshipper, especially rich
nan worshipper. He did not bow down
4 nsn mons shrine. He found not his
lisciples among the rich and lofty; but
.mong the poor and lowly toilers. Was
t any wondLr that Thomas Jefferson,
Robert Burns and men of sense and
leart should spurn established church"
md mammon Worship
Thomas JefFerson's political views
we're told in one word, Justice; and
hat involved equality Of rights, and |
hence, in the main. equality of condi-
ion. Robert Burns expressed the same
dea:
Then let us pray that come 1t may,
As come 1t will for O. that; ..
That man to man the world over,
. A.