The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-04-17

tons OF the government at n time
when something OF the grandeur OF the
ceremonial pomp OF the courts Of Eu-
rope was beginning to appear in public
life, and the nations administrators
were unloosening too freely the strings
OF the public purse. He advocated IN
iversal suffrage. The people found In
him their abIest champion. To-day the
influence OF his deeds still works for
the same things-simplicity economy.
the people-the whole people. The
Democratic party claims him for a
father; but his achievements are the
common heritage. They belong to no
party: but to the nation.
The Sage OF Monticelloi What a
pleasant picture OF Jefferson. after he
had retired from active public life TO
spend the time yet remaining to him In
the busy quletude OF Monticello. these
words recall. The tall stately figure,
straight and erect though crowned
with the SHOWS OF seventy Winters:
the fine scholarly face. with It's thin
firm lips. strong chin and high fore
head; the kindly eyes. not as bright
now as they were when they guided
the pen that wrote the Declaration OF
Independence; the firm step. Just be-
ginning to halt as the old man strolls
around the home OF his own making
this was Jefferson when old age found
him dwelling In peace beneath the
porticos OF beautiful Monticello.
Jefferson loved Monticello. and no
wonder. for II almost grew out OF the
native soil at his command. The
bricks which composed its walls. the
nails which united its woodwork.
much OF the furniture. the building IT.
self. and even the state carriage. an ss-
sential and characteristic appendage OF
the period. all were the product OF the
skill OF his slaves and servants. His
own brain planned every architectural
feature of tie building. and laid out
the walks and drives and gardens that
oeauuhed the surrounding grounds.
For years. as time and means permit
ted. the structure grew, under his d.
rect supervision. until Il became one
Of the fairest homes In America.
Here Jefferson spent the last seven
teen years OF his life in the pursuits OF
literature. the MANAGEMENT OF his
farms and other interests and in en-
tertaining. with true southern hospI-
tality, the many distinguished guests
who came to do honor to his greatness.
To few men have been given a more
perfect ending to a long and fruitful
life: but the clouds came.
his business interests became In
volved: and at last hopeless bankrupt
cy confronted the old man. He feared
that he would be compelled to part
with Monticello. dearer to him now
than ever. for age clings with ever in
ereasing fondness to the associations OF
hy-gone days. But a tardy public
sympathy was at last aroused, and con-
tributions sufficient TO Justify the hope
that beautiful Monticello would be
saved. were sent to him.
He died, comforted by this thought.
at Monticello. early In the afternoon Of
July 4. 1896. the fftieth anniversary
OF the signing OF the Declaration OF
Independence. A few hours later in
the day John Adams passed into his
tory.
Strange that these two men. Jeffer-
son the author Of the Declaration OF
Independence and Adams is most el-
oquent defender. should both have
died on the afternoon OF the same day:
but. more striking still. that the day
should have been the Fourth OF July.
The last words of Thomas Jefferson
were: This Is the Fourth?" Then
after a brief pause he repeated In =
very faint whisper: This Is the
Fourth" and. with an expression OF
pleasure lighting up his face, sank in
to Inconsistencies.
When the attendant bent over John
Adams. TO catch the last utterance OF
the dying man. he heard what he
thought TO be. the words: Thomas
Jefferson still lives: as the aged pa
triot passed from life to death.
"Mr. Billings spoke OF you iast even