The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-16

The effort Of Mr.. William j. Bryan 10
purchase Monticello, the home Of Jefer-
son. TO be set apart as Democratic re-
servation, has failed, but like all good
efforts. il has not been altogether in vain.
1t has given Mr.. jefferson NJ. Levy, the
owner an opportunity 10 take the public
into his confidence. and TO make certain
patriotic disclosures. which otherwise
would have been forever locked up in Mr..
Levys patriotic breast
In the outset Mr.. Levy assures Mr..
Bryan that all the money in the treasury
of the United States would not buy Month
cello. you must bear in mind" he con-
tinues. that the homestead Of Jefferson
has been in my family since early in 1884,
and that if it were not for my family
Monticello would not be in existence to-
day." OF course Mr.. Levy does not mean
exactly what he says. Monticello, ike
Jenersonian Democracy, cannot be obllt-
Grated What ne intended TO say was this.
If it were not for my family Monticello
would not be L. place, it would be con-
dition." But we Will let that pass. and 80
on TO say that Mr. Levy next details
bit Of interesting family history, and tells
with pardonaDle pride how at last he re-
claimed the property lat a very large
expense and how he has since that time
expended many thousands Of dollars in
order that Monticello might be kept up for
the pdbllcs enjoyment"
But We cannot conhne ourselves TO ex-
tracts only. The conclusion Of his COM
mu1icauon IS so interesting that we must
quote it IN full as follows:
1t is mater of personal and FANNY
pride with me that MCnticcuo be kept up
not for my own enjoyment, but in hOnoi
OF the immortal principles for which Jei-
fersOu stood, the maintenance OF when
were never more important TO the country
than at the present time. i think 1 may
say that l have lived up TO this rule in q
way OF which the most eNactlng crlt4c
could not complain
las TO Its value j beg 10 say that no sum
of money would compensate me for de-
priving me Of Monticello. l have refused
several large offers. the amounts of when
1 90 not mention. but very tempting 10 "a
man of moderate means, ike myself VINO
must make extra efforts 10 maintain it IN
&C Way 1 do. oui OF NeneratiOn lOf JItr
sons memory
Some years ago the Hon. William NJ.
Evarts, then Secretary Of state. urged me
TO allow him TO ask Congress to purchase
Monticello. My answer was: Mr. Sec
rotary, If you offered me all the money
that this room Che Secretary private
Office in the State Department. would hold
YOU could not tempt me- His answer
was: Wen, Mr. Levy, j admire you, ana
do not blame YOU
"Also, please remember, my uncle, as
early as lS3 presented to the United
States government the only bronze statue
il has of Thomas jefferson. SO. you per
ceive that this admiration of my family
aud Of myself for the founder Of the Dem
ocratic party is Of long standing.
you must be convinced that Monticello
could not receive from any association or
from the national or state government the
anxious care IT receives from me, or be in
better hands"
Mr. Levy is right. Monticello il in the
hands Of a patriot and friend. 1t would
not only be money thrown away, but a
lamentablo misuse Of money to purchase
this patriotic property out Of its present
ownership.