Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-01-18

but in their right to labor as they see
fit. and 10 enjoy the fruits OF their Own
endeayors. The Sermon on the Mount
end the Declaration Of American Inde-
pendence contain the same selt-evIdent
truths but they have had hard and a
long struggle TO get themselves placed
on the human statute book, and to be
kept there after they were enacted.
Eternal vigilance is the price OF llber"
ty.' We make a little advance, aud
then, If we relax our efforts IN the least
we straightway lose more than we had
gained. Ambition, greed, the love OF
dominion, and the lust Of money un-
earned never sleep. 1t is not within the
scope OF any artist like thls 10 sketch
this struggle, or even to allude TO any
of its incidents beyond the limits OF our
own fortunate country. But what have
we seen herey
Thomas Jefferson was the great
apostle of human liberty on this con-
tinent. He proposed to start all men
IN the race of life upon footing Of per-
feet equality, and to give no man any
legal advantage over another. In Vir-
pipia he broke down the established
church, repealed the law Of primogenl'
ture aud OF entails, reduced the Govern
ment to pure democracy, and would.
if he could, have abolished negro sla-
very. concerning the consequences oil
which 10 his own race, be trembled
when he thought of the justice OF God.
He was also the protector ola system
of popular education which was far in
advance of the times in which he lived,
and We beg the young readers 10 re-
member the fact when he hears some
brawlug demagogue claiming the credit
of the common school system for
party which was born yesterday, and
was born then only to take up the cause
of the few against the many where
Thomas Jefierson's ancient enemies
were forced TO droD it.
But Mr.. Jefferson's great work oi
good will to men, did not stop there.
Virginia vas free-free Of the hoary
abuses of mooarchy and aristocracy-
and. bis Declaration of Independence
having been sustained by arms, the
colonies were independent States. But
now arose an enemy more dangerous
than the British crown beyond the Sc as
had ever been. 1t was near and press
ing, subtle aud lusidious. 1t came in
the guise OF patriotism and lured the
people BY promises oil national power
AID glory. The party of which Alex
ander - ton was then the head
would b extinguished the States,
and set up for a general government a
practical monarch on the Brllich
model Failing in that, they have
ever since been endeavoring to con-
strue away the Constitution which our
wise forefathers gave US, and to estab-
llsh what they call strong govern
ment,' with no limitations but the
pleasure or necessities of the admins
tration. They wanted debts, monopo-
lies. standing armies, class distinctions,
splendor and protusion. They assault
ted the Constitution with their impu'
dent doctrine of implied powers;' they
undermined il BY corruption. and would
have overthrown 1t BY fraud and force
had they been able. But Mr.. Jefferson
founded great party to protect anc
defend the Constitution, and he led 1t
with singular prudence and devo: ion
until the Federalists were turned out
of power, neck and heels. in 1900. His
memorable and glorious administration
aud the administrations Of his Demo
cratic successors, constituted the golden
age of the Republic.
The party which Mr.. Jefferson foun'
ded and inspired, and which he trusted
would stand through all the ages like
wall of fire around the free institutions
OF America, remains to-day what il
was then. It's principles are unaltered'
II saws the Federal Government mus
he a administered according 10 the plain
letter of the written charter. Such
iGoye1nment, as the administrations o.
=, Jefferson and his disciples demonstra-
ted, is pure, simple and inexpensive
II protects all while it harms none. It's
blessings encompass US like sunshine;
its burdens are unfelt. 1t creates no
monopoly. The power OF taxalion Is
used only to support the Government,
and to proyide for the few objects o.
Federal care, prescribed iii the written
Constitution. 1t cannot be employed
to transfer the proceeds OF one mans
labor TO another: or to exact tribute
from one class Of citizens ln order to
enrich another. These are the bene-
ficent doctrines Of Democracy. The
! political philosophy Of Jefferson is bu
the morality Of the New Testament
applied to the state-the golden rule il
public affairs. Under its blessed sway
The people eat the bread they have
earned; it cannot be snatched from TIT
weary hands of labor to fill the over
flowing storehouses OF wealth and mo-
nopoly. Riches aud poverty stand up
on the same place. No man h"s
special license TO sell dearer or tC
charge more for the same service thar
another. The man rules aud the mar
is protected in all hls natural rights anc
dignity, aud no. the accident OF birth OF
property. When Democracy proiesse'
| A., ,,,.,h, hut thia which il was at the