The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-22

The three scenes described by the speaker
showed the great work accomplished by
Jefferson.
Mr. Blanchard then said he would speak
first of the main incidents In the life
Of jefferson; secondly of his character. then
Of his opinions, of his services to mankind
and of lessons for today to be drawn from
his life. Portland was good place to tell
the story. The burning of Falmouth-of
which present Portland was part-and the
burning of Norfolk made possible the de-
claration Of independence. Without those
two events, inflaming the whole body of the
colonists, independence might not have bee n
declared, so unwilling were the Americans,
at nrst, to separate from Great Britain.
The speaker then gave an outline Of the
lie, beginning In 1743 and ending in 1926.
he told OF ancestry and parentage-of study
with good Dr. Small, of college, of love of the
violin, OF marriage, OF law practice. of SER
vice in the House Of Burgesses, 1f election to
Continental Congress, OF the debate on the
Declaration, of his governorship. of his em-
bassy TO France, his secretaryship under
Washington, of his eight years as President
OF the United States, of his life at Monticel-
70, Of his death on July 4, 1926, and Of the
death Of John. Adams on the same day.
Many Illustrations were introduced under
The speaker then eulogized his character.
His HIS blogrepher, james Parton, says Of him (;
.The Wild beast was more extirpated In him
than IN any other human being of whom /
have familiar knowledge" His great capac-
ity for loving, his tendsrness TO wife and
children and servants and friends, his insat-
dustry, his interest In all men. his profound,
simple righteousness, were all dwelt upon,
and many stories told illustrating these traits
OF character. Mr.. Blanchard then catalogued
his opinions. He believed In the one God.
thought Jesus man, the greatest of men.
demanded liberty of thought and speech
on religion, urged the freest use of reason,
believed In the rule Of the people, hated
kings and mobiles, thought public Office was
pubic trust, would not engage in any none
tary affatrs while holding office, would not
use the. pardoning power without having
the opinion OF the judge who had sentenced,
would have all the people educated, believed
there was too much government, opposed
capitalization OF power, wished for local
self-goyernment, self reliance of people, as
opposed to dependence ON paternal govern
ment
His service to mankind is iinmeasureable.
Even In minor matters he was great bene-
factor. He introduced the seeds of
he secured the adoption of the decimal
currency. His services in formulating the
Declaration of Independence, in securing
religious liberty in Virginia and so keeping
1OiWdiu fcllSiOuS HDtfty eVeryWncre, his
labors for education; his teaching of faith
In the people, despite their short-lived err
rors; his example Of simplicity, generosity,
kindliness, courage, devotion to duty, conse-
Grafton to human liberty, put him in the very
front rank Of the benefactors of mankind.
Not belonging to the highest rank of great
men, his services are among the most valua-
BILE.
In conclusion Mr.. Blanchard spoke OF the
need OF studying the history Of the Revolu-
ton and of being well acquainted with its
great leaders. Men should know well the
life Of Jefferson. He should be glad IL the
lecture led to study Of his life, especially as
told by James Parton. America needs to-
day the lessons taught by the life Of the au-
thor Of the immortal Declaration of Inde-
pendence. We need reverence for simplici-
ty, for power of education, for the democra-
cy, the rule Of the people. We need to scorn
love OF money, cringing to the wealthy, the
fear Of the people. We need to see that the
Federal party deserved to die because Of its
distrust Of the people. We need to see
that relf-reliance, local self-government. ed
ucation, are the forces which shall keep the
people free, the Republic strong and helpful
and happy. We need to know much of the
greatness Of the patriotism and the services
OF this great tribune of the people-this
prophet OF the coming democracy Of the
world-Thomas Jefferson,