The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1894-04-19
Thomas Jefferson.


The celebration in all parts Of tn
country the anniversary of the brit
of Thomas jefferson, is most worth,
tribute paid to the memory of one 0
ouI greatest men. It shows, too, tn
regard the American people have
for his memory and that time has no
dimned it but little.
To properly arrive at a correct cs
innate of Jeftcrson's ability it il
necessary to go back little and SCI
from what parcntage he sprung, an(
the scenes and political battles il
which he participated. His forefather
before him were noted for their intel
Iectual and physical superiority, anC
for their liberal views upon things il
general. Jefferson was educated a
William and Mary College, and there
formed friendship with DR.. Small
the Professor Ct Mathematics. Mr
Small was i man of extra mary
intellect and had quite reputation
III Scotland before coming to thi:
country. He made Jefferson thu
constant companion Of his walks an(
took great pride in imparting knowl
edge to so receptive student. JET
fcrson himself has told us that to DR.
Small the success of his career was
due in q great measure.
After graduating in the Academic
Department Jefferson studied la"
with George Wythe, Afterwards
Chancellor and the greatest lawyer
Of his day. From him and from
"Cokc's Lyttleton" he acquired q
great many of his liberal views in re-
gard to government. He made a
close study into tho origin of the
English law. and rejected the maxim
of Sir Mathew Hale that Christianity
was part Of the laws. He married
a widow lady, aged twenty, daugh-
ter of John Waylcs, an eminent and
wealthy lawyer. BY this marriage
he became possessed Of large estate
and was free from any pecuniary
embarrassment. With his marriage
commenced his political career, about
1869, when he was elected member
Of the House Of Burgcsses, Of which
body George Washington was a
member. He at once began to ascend
higher and higher until he reached
the Presidency.
In Waslington's cabinet with JEFF
fcrson was Alexander Hamilton, a
man Of gigantic intellect and
of great force of character. AS u
natural consequence Of the contact Of
two men of positive character
there was much discord.
Each distrusted the other, and lost no
opportunity of displaying their dis
like. Jefferson thought the French
Revolution one of the best things that
ever befcll the French people, while
Hamilton said openly he thought it
abominable. Jefferson did not have
the mind that Hamilton did, and in
comparing the ability Of the two
men we must not lose sight Of the
fact that Hamilton died while he was
Just starting on the road to success,
and that at the time he died he was
considered a greater statesman than
Jefferson.
However, Jefferson was q great
man and the people of America bon
or themselves when they respect his
memory, Virginians have a two-fold
cansc to ever keep his name in loving
remembrance. 1t was upon her soil
that he first saw the light of day. 1t
was at her University he received his
cducation,and it is upon her soil that
his ashes now repose.
AS author of the Declaration Of
Independence, as the primo mover for
the adjustment of the law
Of entails, as the promoter of
;.;na.a1 al: r.nte balxpAt,n1 la bn