Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-06-14
MR.. BAILEY's SPEECH.

I
noon the large hall at the south end OF
the lawn was pretty well filled with
persons eager to near Mr.. Joseph Wei
don Bailey, of Texas, address the So
| cieties. Ga the stage was the rector
and visitors of the university, the chair
man, and several members OF the facui-
ty, the presidents of the two literary so
cieties and the speaker Of the day, MIR.
Bailey.
Mr.. C. W. Miller, of Kentucky, pres
ident OF the Jefferson society, intro
duced the speaker in a very few words.
l1r. Bailey arose amid great and pro-
longed applause l would remind you,
he said, of this country's debt to Thomas
Jefferson, who counted it one of the
achievements of his life to found the
University of Virginia. that Jefer'
son founded the University of Virginia
not only for learning for learnipg's
sake, but that he had higher purpose;
he wanted to establish an institution al
which the youth OF his country might
learn not only to appreciate free instl-
tutions, but also to defend or per-
petuate them at all times. Of Jetter-
sons sincerity there can no longer be
any doubt. Some deny his doctrines
and principles, but few question his pa
triotism, his love of country. Those
that do question it belong to that rare
class that practices what Hamlet calls
"the trick of singularity," those who
want to be considered uncommonly
wise by contradicting universally ac-
cepted opinions.
But Jefferson did more than found
the University of Virginia. He was the
author OF the statute OF religious liberty
for Virginia. 1t is unfortunate that
Jefferson's connection with the religi-
Gus legislation preciptated theologi-
cal controversy which led TO the i'm
pugning OF Jeferson's motives by some
men of high rank and station. 1t Is
claimed by some that Jefferson tried by
means of his statute of religious liberty
10 destroy the Christian religion. This
is statement hs false as it is ungener-
Gus, as false as ever in6del or atheist
uttered. ~ repel the statement" said
the speaker, THAT enlightenment is all
tagonistic to religion, that the posses
sion OF freedom of conscience can de-
stroy the church. I believe as fully in
the Christian religion, in the sublime
truth, az any man who lives; but l do
not believe in religion that seeks dark.
ness and avoids the light" He said
If the narrow bigotry which per-
secutes the memory of Jefferson
be applied the world over, the
pulpit will be robbed of some OF
Wits finest preachers, the church OF
some of its finest members. Jefferson IS
words and deeds left the world better
for them and no man of whom this can
be said deserves the execration of pious
people. But above the founding of the
University of Virginia and the author
ship of the statute for religious liberty
is Jeferson's authorship OF the declara-
ton OF independence. II shall live even
if those who follow Us shall sacrifice the
independence it proclams. 1t states
the case not only OF America against
Great Britain, but of all the
oppressed against tyranny and OPP
preston throughout the world.
The speaker said he had heard
men FAY that when Jefferson wrote
the declaration he did not appre-
ciate its immortal character. Others
say that he wrote it under q great
inspiration. Neither view ia true. II
is the product of the greatest mind that
ever applied itself TO the study of gov
erum entail principles. Jefferson knew
that what ne was doing was being done
for all times, that the declaration was
not born to die. He saw the rise, out
of the smoke and din Of freedoms bat.
tie, of a republic of republics, perma-
nent and strong; permanent, because
built upon everlasting principles;
strong, because it's cornerstone is equal
ity and justice. Liberty and truth breath.
es through every liue Of the declaration.
There is no greater shame for the
scholar than to be ignorant of it; the
first lesson the teacher teaches his pupils
ia drawn from it. 1t is one of the few
renowned documents of its kind, great
er than all others. Greater than
that of Lycurgus or that of Scion;
greater than that the British barons
wrested from the English lords at
Runymede. Greater than them all;
greater than all before it, greater than
1 duN ludt VIII OOAC oiISi
These three things alone, the found
ing of Virginia's university, of Virgin
las statute for religious liberty, and Of
the Declaration OF Independence would
have immortalized him beyond any
man. Yet he didn't terminate his SER
vices there. The people of this coun-
try owe him still more for the lesson he
taught them in administering the gov
ernment.
have heard a man say that Jeffer-
sons life was failure in one respect
and I was anxious to know just how
l found that his life was failure be-
cause he died in debt. So he did. He
died in debt and honest, while other
men lived in afiluence on money that
they had stolen. They create a new
standard by which to judge men. If We
are To Judge men by this standard We
may be sure that our page of history
will be robbed of all the bright names
a bandit will appear and Will chisel of
the inscription on Jefferson's tomb,
tracing in its stead the words she died
in debit Prentiss Of my native State,
Mississippi, died insolvent. Houston
of nv present State, Texas, could not
make fortune. Strike from the pages
the history of his glorious life and teach
YOUR children only to remember that
Houston was failure because he could
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