The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-16
JEFFERSON THE FOREMOST
MAN THE WORLD HAS
KNOWN.

What Martin Luther was to the Pro
tcstant religion. Thomas Jefferson was
to the belief in self-government. AS
Luther refused to bow to church infal-
Utility. Jefferson declined to accept any
government not based ON the consent of
the governed AS Luther hurled def
ance at papal bulls. Jefferson defied the
doctrine of the divine right of kings.
No man has lived in the history of
the world who has made his teaching
50 uplifting and all pervading as Thomas
Jefferson. In his day he did not escape
calumny. Senator John j.. Mitchell. III
speech at Milwaukee, admirably
summed up Jefferson's stormy career in
hese few sentences:
The higher one mounts in public of
flee. the thicker the flight of poisoned
darts. Jefferson was savagely assail-
ed. When he stood for independence
they said rebel When he demanded
justice they said communist. When
he stood for religious freedom they cried
'infdel.' When he aroused the people
against monarchy and concentrated pow
or they said demagogue.' But under
the stings of calumny he remained UNI
reSenting to the last, perhaps through
native amiabilty or perhaps he found In
these assaults comparative relief from
the real sorrows of life.
The test of greatness is: Does Il
l.; Il IL,
that test, Jefferson looms, up as the
greatest central figure of civic life that
the world has known. Caesar and Ma
poleon were men of wonderful genius
and accomplishment, but they exert no
influence among men to-day. jefferson
dominated public thought in America
from the day he was elected President
until he died, but his influence j. great
err To-day than when he Vas in the
fesI. 1t will increase as cduca;ion in
creases, and men everywhere look for
ward to government and to equal
rights.
There can arise no problem of govern
ment that cannot be solved wisely BY
an appeal to Jefferson. The best evil
dence that what he thought controls
men to-day is the fact that ali men who
believe in the capacity of theFpeople 10
rule feel that they are fortified in any
line from Jefferson to support them.
The Jefferson dinners, given last week
by men who differ widely upon present
topics, all claiming to be disciples of
the sage of Monticello. are striking
proof that. though dead, Jefferson yet
speaks to this generation. He VIII Sreak
is suited for every time and change
and cline.
There cannot be too many Jefferson
dinners. Even if some OF those who
celebrate his birth fail to fully under
stand the breadth of his teaching, or mis-
interpret it, they are necessarily made
broader and better patriots by the con-
temptation of any single idea that he en-
forced. If, as we believe, Mr.. Belmont
and his associates have lost The signifi-
canoe of Jefferson's war against the
money of banks, they must be instruct
ed by contemplating his hostility 10 any
expansion in another hemisphcce.
The most important book Of the Year
is Il Jefferson Cyclopedia which is he
ing prepared by competent men, design
ed to give in alphabetical ordcr every
utterance of Jefferson upon every ques-
ton upon which his versatile pea touch
ed. The revival of Jefferson dinners and
Jefferson doctrine shows that the people
are turning to the true and simple faith
, that Jefferson eXpounded and Illustrated.
With Jelferson's creed in practice,
there could be no bond syndicates, no
F., protective tariff, no monometallism, no
subsidies. no trusts, no Mark Hannas in
high places and no Imperialism