The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-06-28


 troduced his bill for religious tolera- tion. It passed Such bold step startled all Europe, for this was the first legislative mandate of it's kind in Christendom. In earlier days, to be sure, Vane and Sidney, had pleaded for toleration, Penn and Calvert had founded colonies on the principle but it remained for Jefferson to break this ecclesiastical tyranny and to define, once for all, the sphere of the church.
 Virginia was now divorced from the English monarchy, enjoying the bless ings of good laws, and free from all re- ligious disturbances There yet re- mained an institution within her pord- CTS, which was menace to the colon ies of the New World. The rich Vir- ginia planters formed an aristocracy after the English model They spent their time in the taverns, gambling and debauching themselves. in drunken carousals. They despised the common CT. Their large estates were kept in the family by an old statute of entail, thus making it possible fsr the idle spend thrift to laugh at his creditors.
 Jefferson wished to destroy this in- equality. He clearly saw that to at- tack an institution which had existed ever since the colony was founded, de- manded the greatest courage and de- termination. Never since the days when the colonies rose in rebellion against their mother country, did the genius of Jefferson shine more brightly He realized that with the destruction of the great estates and the repeal of the statutes of entail and primogeniture, he would bring down upon himself the scorn and hatred of thousands of his fellow countrymen. Like the great re- formers of old, he d,d not waver. With characteristic boldness he wrote the statute of descendants, and the aris- tocracy of Virginia, yea, of the New World ceased to exist. All men were now equal before the law; all might worship God as they chose.
 But while the rich were educated, the poor were not. To erase this last dis tinction, Jefferson conceived the idea of establishing free schools throughout the state.
 Schools of all grades were provided for, from the primary to the college. Virginia was yet unwilling to aid the scheme. With wonderful persever- ance Jefferson continued to petition the legislature. His efforts were in vain. Finding it impossible to carry through this grand scheme of education he turned his attention to the founding of college. In this enterprise he labor ed with ardor and success. But he met many obstacles, and was compelled to suffer many mortiflcations. His ene- mics contended that he wished to found an anti-Christian institution. His friends denied such slanderous state- ments. Jefferson saw the contention. He heard words of praise; he heard words of blame. He neither denied the charges of his enemies nor commended the disclaimer of his friends. As in his great reforms so here, he remained si- lent, but continued his labors. Year mained unfounded. Age whitened that venerable head yet he did not despair.
 Success came at last. He saw his dream realized when the corner stone of the University of Virginia was laid. Here the youth from all parts of the state could come for an education. Here they could learn the principles of free government, and grow up an hon. or to their native state, and to the na- ton. A democracy without an en- frightened people said Jefferson is the last step before despotism.
 Jefferson's work was now done. The state he loved so well was prosperous. On the Fouth of July, 1926, at his home a Moptina11n thn rnTnryY1or of Vir- ginia passed away.
 Oh Virginia! Oh Virginia! Thy his- tory is the story of thy great men. We bow before the majesty of thy Wash ington; we honor the profound wisdom of thy Marshall; we are charmed with the patriotic eloquence of thy Henry. But as long as this Union endures, as long as our people remain free, the name Thomas Jefferson will never be forgotten. Render unto him the honor due--his works are thy foundation. ALUMNI MEETING TO-DAY. The general alumni meeting will be | held this morning at 9:30 o'clock in Alumni hall. Judge Shipman of Hart ford will be the presiding officer There will be an election of member of the corporation and addresses will be made by the following gentlemen: For '5S Dr D. G. Brinton. For '6S, w. A. Linn | of the New York Evening Post. For '73, Professor Eben Alexander of the North Carolina university. For '7S, H. | N. Hoyt of Philadelphia. For 'S3, H. D. Taft of Watertown. For 'SS, Rev. J. F. Carter of Fall River, Mass. For '92, Hugh A. Bayne of New Orleans. | For '95. Roger s. Baldwin of New York. MEDICAL SCHOOL EXERCISES. | As usual there will be no special I graduation exercises at the Yale Medi- cal school, except the annual address | in medicine, which will be delivered by | Professor Clarence J. Blake of Har- yard university to-day at 12 o'clock in | College street hall, on 1.-The Citizen | Doctor" In the evening a reception | will be given for Professor Blake al | the residence of Dr. Carmalt, to which all the alumni are invited.
 | The annual banquet of the Alumni association was held at the Tontine hotel last evening at 8 o'clock. This
 morning at 10 o'clock the nineteenth annual business meeting will be helG af fha Medical school