The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-06-04
The old Style "PubIic Servant >

Thomas Jefferson was the second occu-
pant of the Presidential mansion and the
third President. During his and Madi-
sons administration the house and
grounds remained in an ~unfurnished and
neglected state, the latter wholly unim-
proved, and inclosed only by a post and
rail fence. Mr.. Jefferson thought the
President should be simple and Demo
cratic, and was so in his dress and equip
age. HIS appearance was In every way
plain, his hair reddish and his face
tracked, but he was sprightly and intel
~lectual, with much attractive informa-
ton on a variety of subjects. He was
highly accomplished in the ways of socie-
ty, gave delightful recherche dinpers with
everything French, and he knew how to
select his company. He was a good horse
MAJ, and usually rode on horseback.
England did not treat O Minister with
due courtesy, and Jefferson, invited the
English Minister to dine, and gave his
Cabinet seats above him at table, to
teach England lesson.
Returning from the ceremony of Madi-
sons Inauguration, Mr.. Parke Curtis met
the now ex President on horseback, en-
tirely alone, and they rode down the
avenue together.
| leave the notes here to make some
extracts from his life, by his great grand
daughter. in 1900. during the Presi-
dental contest, the press, and even some
of the clergy, warned the people that he
was a French inflel, and if elected, the
Bible would be taken away from them"
He went to be inaugurated in a dress
of plain cloth, and he rode on horseback
without a single guard or even servant in
his train, ~dismounted Githout assistance
and hitched the bride of his horse to the
PALISADES
To a kinsman he wrote: THE resolu-
ton you SO properly approve has long
been formed in my mind. The public
will never believe that the appointment
of a relative is made on the ground of
merit alone, uninfuenced by family views,
nor can they ever see with appreciation
offices, the disposal of which they intrust
to their President for public use, divided
out as family property. Mr.. Adams de-
graded himself infinitely by his conduct
on this subject, and Gen. Washington
has done himself the greatest honor.
With two such examples to proceed by |
should be doubly inexcusable to err"
He never drank" says his great-grand-
daughter, and SAID in his last illness the
sun had not found him in bed for fifty
years" He rose always at dawn, and
always lighted his own fire." "He was
a miser of time and used every moment"
Jefferson, in smallest hand, and neatest
manner, copies the XIV. Ps., and this old
paraphrase of it in his everyday note
book
THE GENTLEMAN.
IT'S he whose every thought and deed
BY rule of virtue moves
Whose generous tongue disdained to
speak
The thing his heart disproves;
Who never did a SANDER forge
His neighbor's fame to wound
Nor hearken to a false report
BY malice whispered round
Who vice in all its pomp and power
Can treat with just neglect,
And piety, though clothed In rags
Religiously respect.
Who TO his plighted word and trust
Has ever firmly stood,
And though he promise to his loss
lie makes his promise good;
Whose sou 10 u.ury disdains
tbs treasure to employ
Whom no rewards can ever bribe
The guilt!ess to destroy.