The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-10-07
HONOR AND HEED THE PROPHETS
AND PATRIOTS.
SKETCH OF JEFFERSON CONTINUED.
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county anu OIuCe business. Ills Duslnesb
increased until his cases in single year
numbered near 500, which would average a
fee of about one pound [s5l each. He never
was fluent speaker in public, though a fine
conversationalist and an eloquent and able
writer. He was not forcible speaker, his
voice was apt to become husky. James
Madison says, however, he heard him try
cause and that he acquitted himself well, and
spoke fluently enough for his purpose. He
loved the study of the law and thought the
laws of a country highly important part Of
its history. He suggested and promoted the
collection of Virginia laws known as Hen
ning's Statutes at Large" he contributed the
most rare and valuable part of the work. He
continued in the practice of the law for some
eight years until the great contest of the
revolution gave him other work to do.
Having been chosen a member of the house
of burgesses, he took his seat on the 11th of
May, 1863. Washington was also a member.
Jefferson was then 26 years of age and Wash
ington some ten years older On entering the
public service he says he resolved never to
engage, while in public office, in any kind of
enterprise for the improvement of my fortune,
nor to wear any other character than that of a
farmer" He could say. after retiring to
private life, that he had kept his resolution,
and often found the benefit of it in being able
to consider public questions free from the bias
of self interest. Too many public men these
days are negligent of such self.denial.
III fares the cause that's in the grasp of pelf,
For in such case the object all is self;
A land controlled by speculative cliques,
May look for ruin thro their rascal tricks.
The knaves may claim prosperity" is here,
10 suffering labor tho it don't appear;
The one thing needed at the present day,
Are public men who'll take the righteous way,
Who'll act the patriot with no selfish aim,
And spotless, thus secure an honest fame.
Such patriot was Thomas jefferson and
soon he found work to do. This session of
the burgesses was short. The famous four
resolutions were introduced on the third day.
These claimed the colonies could not lawfully
be taxed by body in which they were not
represented, and these colonies might concur
cooperate and practically unite in seeking a
redress of grievances, The royal governor,
Lord Botetourt, dissolved the house on the fifth
day; but the members at once met in the large
room Of the Raleigh tavern, where the resolu.
tions, with others more pointed, were passed.
T hese proceedings had a startling effect over
the country, and in few months alter, the
governor convened the assembly and greeted
the members with the news that parliament
had decided not to tax the colonies. The
governor, however, was mistaken, and they
soon had correct news. 1t was at this time
Jefferson made speech favoring the repeal of
the law requiring master who set his slaves
free to send them out of the colony. The law
was not then repealed
Jefferson married MrsiMartha Skelton, on |
January 1, 1772. The lady was cbildless |
young widow, the daughter of John Wayles, |
prominent lawyer of Williamsb burg Mr.
"ayies died the next year leaving an estate of
4o' 900 acres and 1876 slaves. After paying the |
liabilities it doubled Jefferson's wealth. He |
was now in afluent circumstances, happily |
married and in due time happy father of
daughter. He was busy man these days,
seeing to his farms, laying out gardens and
completing and furnishing his house. But other
work more important was at hand. The contest |
with the king and parliament was renewed and
the year IVA was the decisive time that led up
to war. Jefferson was then busy young
lawyer and farmer, only known somewhat in
Virginia. Soon, however, he became man of |
prominence as patriot, and was one of the
prescribed in England. lie it was who wrote
the "Draught of Instructions for the dele
gates of Virginia to the congress that met at |
Philadelphia in September. He thought the
congress should unite in a plain and manly
address to the king, telling him as the chief
magistrate Of an empire with many legisla-
lures, that one of them, the British parliament
had illegally encroached upon the rights of
thirteen others. He believed also in telling
the king, that though he was the chief officer
of the people, he was hedged in by the laws
and well defined powers. In this draught he
also referred to 'the late deposition of his ma
jesty, King Charles by the commonwealth |
of England" as procedure obviously right. |
He claimed the legislature of Virginia had as
much right to pass laws for the government of
the people of England as the British parlia-
ment had to pass laws for them, He asked:
Can any one reason be assigned why hun
dred and sixty thousand electors in the island
of Great Britain should give law to the four
millions' in the states of America" The
draught was too radical for the members Of the
congress at that time, and it was not adopted
1t shows, nevertheless, the thorough grasp of
JefIerson's mind, and the draught was pub
lishedin pamphlet and copies were sent to
England, where Edmund Burke had it repub.
lished with emendations and additions of
his own. AS Jefferson said; at gave him
the honor of having his name enrolled in a
long list of names prescribed in bill of at
| tainder,U The ponts in the whole controversy