Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-04-20
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1899.
!EFFERSONIAN DOCTRINE.


the views of Thomas Jefferson on ex-
pansion and other kindred questions. We
are not of those who believe that MIR. JET
ferson was so profound in craftsmanship
as to be infalhble, or that he, or any man
who formerly lived, was so gifted as to
formulate policy for a government that
could be used successfully for centuries
afterward. Mr.. jefferson was a great
man, but the contention that his Judgment
could never be at fault is proposition 60
absurd that it is strange intelligent men
should make it in this day of progress and
enlightenment. Mr.. Jefferson was far too
broad in his views to arrogate to himself
any such powers as these modern sticklers
for Jeffersonian Democracy claim for him.
Could he have lived on to this day and
generation, possessed of the mental vigor
with which he was naturally endowed he
would no doubt be far away from the var
ious shades of political moralists who pirate
20 much about Jeffersonian Democracy.
1t is really amusing to read the different
reasons given by the anti-expansionists TO
prove that Mr.. Jefferson was opposed 10
expansion. Mr.. Perry Belmont, in his
speecb at the $40 Jeffersonian dinner in
New York last Thursday, in proof Mr.
Jeefersons opposition to annexation
quoted from him on the purchase and an
npxation of Louisiana. This was what he
ouoted: 81 know that the acquisition Of
Louisiana has been disapproved by some
from a candid apprehension that the en-
l,rpement of our territory would endanger
its union. But who can limit the extent
10 which the federative principle may op-
crate successfully" MIR. Belmont under
took to prove from this declaration Of Mr.
Jefferson that he was opposed to the al
nexation of any territory that is not con-
tiguous to the present States OF the Unlon'
Mr. Belmont said: "The federative prln'
chile looks to an ind, soluble union OF IN
destrnctible states" How does this agree
with the recent views of the Southern
Democracy, that this was not an indlssoIu'
bic union of indes:ructible states. Ha'
MIR. Belmont properly interpreted the
meaning Of Jefferson or did the Secession
Democracy of the South interpret him
correctly?
Another Jeffersonian doctrine asserted
by the anti-expansionlsts is that all power
to govern must come from the consent Of
the governed" This doctrine is taken
from the Declaration of Independence, OF
which Mr.. Jefferson was the author. Was
the consent of the inhabitants of Louis
lana asked for or obtained before it was
purchased from France and made a part
of the territory of the United States ?
Was the consent of the people Of Califor-
MIA, New Mexico and the other territory
acouired from Mexico obtained before
that territory became the property OF the
United States? The Democracy had never
set up this doctrine of having the consent
of the governed as prerequisite to an
nexation until Republican adminlstra-
ton adopted the policy of annexation
Now it vainly tries to prove that Mr.. JET
ferson Was opposed to expansion, though
he positively declared "who can limit the
extent to which the federative principle
may operate successfully
The Southern Jefersonian Democrats,
so.called, have been greatly exercised over
the supposed violation of human and per-
sonal rights in the Philippines and Cuba.
They clamor very feelingly about the con-
sent of the black man in those islands to
be governed. They forget that they are
the successors of the pro-slavery Democ-
racy, which, in violation of the opinions of
Mr.. Jefferson, contended that to enslave
human flesh was just and lawful, when the
sage of Monticello had remarked in refer
ence to slavery. ''I trouble for my coun-
try when 1 remember that God is just"
The Southern Jefersonian Democracy,
so.called, seems to forget, while it is weep
ing over the infringement upon the rights
oftbe Filipinoa and Cubans, it s violating
the human and Constitutional rights of the
black man at home. By fraud and vio-
1ence. not only are black men in the
South, but thousands Of white men de-
oriyed of their political and personal rights.
What would Thomas Jefferson think of
the inquitours election laws of Virginia
and the methods of the SO called Demo
cracy, employed to cheat men out of the
exercise of their highest personal and
Constitutional right, that of suffrage?
Verify the Southern Democracy is an
anomaly. 1t weeps over the infringement
upon human and personal rights in the
Philippines and wantonly violates those