The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-04-13
THOMAS JEFFERSON.

THOMAS JEFFERSON.
some Notes ON his BirGhdRy-The Deela-
ration of Independenee-Histo
Matters.
Correspondence OF the Democratic Advocate
PIKEsvILLE, Mn, April I, lSS0--I have noticed in
the issue of the ADVOCATE Of March Scth- an editor
ia calling the attention Of the public TO the faet
that Apr End would be the 18th anniversary of the
birth Of Thomas jefferson. the great Apostle Of
Liberty and the founder Of the Democratic party.
The ADVOCATE remarks. The principles that were
promulgated by jefferson arr of the highest impor
tanee to the American people and the services that
were rendered by him young republic .entitle
him to perpetual gratitude. Il is only through The
maintenance OF those immortal principles that our
country can maintain the freedom which be did 50
much 10 establish In quoting these lines OF the An
vocArE's editorial. think that the editors have
struck key note Of advice which every American
citizen should feel it his duty be guided by no
matter Of what political creed he is an adberent In
taking review Of this subject let Us take brief
glimpse az the career OF "The sage Of Monticello,
as he was Justly and fairly termed Ia theyear 1865
the famous stamp Act was passed against the Ameri
can colonies by the British government The House
Of Burgesses OF Virginia wss in session when the
news arrived odloas the measure was. there
was danger In opposing it, and no cue dared 70 ~
trodaee the subject. The afierwards famous Patrick
Henry was the youngest member After vainly
waiting COR older men to lead the way. he hastily
drew up on blank leaf ofa old Law book i've res
olutians which In strong asserted the rights
ofthe colonies and denied The right Of the English
Parliament to tax them. Indignant at the attempt =
eulhrnlI his country the fearless orator N an ina
psssoned harangne set forth the wreugs of his Fellow
country mes. The young mountaiaeer uiamphed'
and the resolutions were carried Among those who
listened 10 the nspiri ng words OF Patrick Henry on
this occasion young Nirginian, destined q
play no uninportant part In his counlrys history.
II was Thomas jefferson. then student twenty-five
years old Standing in the lobby he heard the whole
discussion. The words ofihe eloquent patriot found
an abiding echo in bis heart and awakened there
the sentiment which directed all hts future conduct
towards his counfry-thag resistance % tyrants
Is obedience 10 God" From this time forward the
young VIrEgnian threw himself heart aud soul into
The struggle that was now brewing between the
colonies and the mother country. and when on the
IN OF june. i776 Richard Henry Lee. OF Va, made
the motion Ia the Continental Congress. that these
United Colonies are and of right ought 70 BE- free
and independent states, be was along with John
Adams OF Mass, Benjamin Franklin. ofPenn. Roger
sherman 81 Conn. and Robert Il. Livingston, q
New York. appointed a committee % dran a Decia-
pared the important document IL reported 10
Congress and amer being discussed several days and
slightly amended was adopted at two o'clock On The
4th Of July II76. From this time ON We find Jelier
son uutiring In his desoti0a to his country. Cover
nor Of his native state for two years be also the
representative Of his government 10 the French
court from the year 1851 TO 1883 Upon the inaugu-
ration OF Washington first president Of the infant
republic, he appointed 70 the highest oiaee In
his cabinet thatof the Secretaryo Of State Washing
ton on retiring from the presidency afler serving
second term, was succeeded BY John Adams with
Thomas Jefferson as Vice President From The
adoption ofthe Constitution IN tbs year iTs7 strong
party had from the start opposed H. Their chief
argument against it that IL gave TOO much power
{, the general government and limited that Of The
individual states This party. which embraced jet
ferson and other distinguished patriots soon became
known as Republicans -Dcmoent, states
Rights Men in opposition % The -Federalists,r OF
those who approved OF a strong centralized govern
ment, and who, at the time Of Adams aseendancY
TO the presidency were fast losing ground before the
growing influence ofthe Republican or ~Demoera-
tic marty Of which Thomas Jefferson was The rec
oenized leader Al the close OF Adams term be Was
again nominated By the Federalists bat defeated
hy jefferson, who was the Republican candidate.
One Of the most important acts Of Jefferson's ad-
ininistra1ion was the purchase OF Louisiana from
France This purchase was made during the
year ls9s Bonaparte the part Of France aS en-
peror, and James Monrse and Robert r. Livingston,
representing the United States government Fifleeh
millions Of dollars we're paid for this valuable terri
tory. about one-ffth OF which allowed as an
indemnity for injuries committed By French priva-
teers on American commerce.
Declining another nomination, AFTER serving two
terms jefferson retired to his county scat Al Mont
as a representive 70 the Continental Congress draf
ter Of the Declaration Of Independence Governor Of
his native state Minister % France, Secretary Of
State vIee-President and President for eight years
an unbroken succession OF important Offices. all /
within the gin Of his eouutrymen and all Of which
he fIled with an answering line Of honesty and 4
ability, and which met with the hsarty approval /
and support Of his patriotic American eountrymen 4
The 4th OF July. ls2s, the fftieth anniversary Of
the declaration OF that Independence which they had
helped to establish, among the reoicings Of their
countrymeE. and while their names were sin on (
every American tongue. expired two OF the lruest
benefactors Of America John Adams and Thomas /
jefferson the former at the age Of 90 the latter at
81 Adams had been invited to attend eelebra-
ton at Quincy Mass. but his weakness would not 4
permit him to do So aud he could only send toast
Of his own words uttered fly years before. "Inde
pendence forever.r Before the day was over he
had ceased TO breathe. his last words being, "Jef-
ferson survives jefferson did survive but it was
beyond the tomb: he had died al earlier hour the
same day For some time his strength had been
falling, but he wished earnestly that he might live
TO see another 4th of July day of which he was
brilliant figure OF fifty years before, grati6ed.
The weather this esentful day, in the neighbor-
hood Of his home, was beautiful in the extreme.
The sky was eoudless, and the air warm and balmy.
Nothing broke the stiffness ofthe scene except the
merry twitter Of the birds they earoed near the
open easement of the room where the aged patriot
lay dying Gradually passing from life into death
his last words were Il resign my soul to God, and
my daughter to my country" A bereaved nation
received the tdings of these blows with every evil
denee Of sorrow. Tears fell in every part Of the
Enioa. ut is right" said Daniel Webster "thai it
should be thus; the tears which flow and the honors
that are paid when the friends Of the Republic die
give hope that the Republic itselfmay be immortal
Thus passed away the founder of the Democratic
nary. The party thus founded by Thomas Jefer-
son has stood the storm Of eighty-nine years Of
nolf,iea strife it has seen the advance of the Fed
eralist. WING, Know Nothing, and a dozen OF
smaller ones to meet it in the battle array of polit
cal strife only 10 witness their total defeat and dis
persion afterwards and the only party which has
withstood its attacks for any length IF time, is the
Black Republican Party Of the present time but il
is only mater Of time when this party will also be
compelled to give away before the advance Of the
true party Of the people the party which is the off
spring Of political teachingsof Thomas Jefferson
the Democratic party of the present time.
Respectfully yours, CHAs l. sHlPLEf.
The use we make Of our fortune determines It's
suliciency. little is enough If used wisely, too
ia