The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-13
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Mt Vernon Shrine of the he'''
ticcllo Mecca offh MIMI

Editor of The Times -,.,,.. and
Sir There is not more SUI 'N."e oI
instrL ctive phenomenon In Ahie' ~ ~,
itics than he enduring pe'nlail,' 60
ever-oxpanding proportions Oh Wy A., a.,
and irnuence Of Thomas JeheiS"" I'M.
Just an even century since an ,,,,i,,.st
d,ner.nt construction Of the e"e''
charter ana widely divergent views OF
the CD aracte-. Of the government,
rated The. peoDle OF the country hh'o W..
two neat political parties thdl NV,
from that day 10 this, under one n"ii'u
another. but without change Oh 'u1""s'
maintained "A hot contention ioi "'e
preme power and the contrOl ol 49,
affairs. The two men. JeHeIson -
Adams. who were the frmest "l.o9 49,
the most potential forces in seVeIiils ~
ties that bound the colonies TO 1i'0 ~. ~,
er country. now became the i'HP M.
leaders Of these antagonisuc pa" w. -.
political divergence was along wv
of a strict construction on the one 49, -.
and a liberal construction on the o,het
OF the Constitution and bona oL u''9 49,,
the enc party insisting that the u nc
Interpretation Of the instrument "aS s,l''
the Union was n compact pet"en
ercigr States with strictly limited pow
ers I'm tho Federal mead the Other hiS'Sl-
ing that il was 4 consolidated government
formed hy the united mass OF the pe'p'.
of the original colonies with large anu
elastic powers I'm the Federal arm
claim by tho Adams administration OF al
most n-nitless power in the Federal he"n
found its elimination in the odlous aiel
and scdtion laws. An indignant ie'"lI
against this autocratc assuIlp'.o"
brought about tho formation OF the ne
publican Democratic. or state Rights.
ttr
Madison for his lieutenant; while ADAMS.
with Hamilton as his right bower, led
the forces OF the Federal party as the
consolioatiouists we're called. The chasm
thus formed was destined never 70 DE
bridged over. The politicsl sentiment
that ms a. united and harmonious power
achieved independence. and founded the
republic. was now separated lnto u"o
discordsnt parties that stood
Like cliffs that have been rent asunder'
An awful gulph now rolls between.
And neither rain, nor hail nor thuhoei'
Shall ever GO away. ! ween,
The marks of that which once hath
been.
We do not mean az AN to intimate that
the advocates of "a strong, national gov
ernm, mt were not as thoroughly pa
| triOtic as those who resisted such as
SUMPTION. and jealousy maintained the
rights OF the States. Marshall. and even
Washington. inclined strongly 10 this
claim for "a liberal and enlarged exer-
else of Federal jurisdiction. The leaders
OF tho Federal party looked with genuine
alarm upon what they regarded as the
| extreme and destructive democratic prin-
| clplss Of jefferson and his followers.
| The truth is that 40 heart they distrusted
the capacity Of the people for self-soF-
/ eminent. certainly. az least they consld-
| cred it unsafe 20 entrust the masses or
| the people with very great latitude iu
the determination OF political questions.
They honestly believed that the views
which Mr.. jefferson avowed were SUBJ
versi,s OF the very foundation of the p0-
lltical fabric; and many Of them ansrily
declared that he was a demag0gue who
appealed 10 the prejudices and passions Of
| The people 10 secure his own elevation %
power. Tho dispassionate judgement OF
history is that these angry, though
! honest. political opponents and critics
| did Mr.. jefferson a gross and grieVous in-
| Justice. There never was more thor
oughly conscientious man in his political
principles and declarations. lie had an
/ absolute. lnextinguishable confidence IN
| the virtue and capacity of the people.
| lie was willing TO entrust 10 them, 10 the
| fullest extent. the management Of politics
and public affairs. And he was absolute
| ly sincere I'm the alarm he expressed az
any Il the departments OF the Federal
Government. transcending, by halr
| breadth, the powers expressly granted
them IN the written Constitution The
prime pies be held. the precepts he incui-
Gated. the canons Of construction he
/ al. fgr nN
political chart the directing compass
the guiding star. of millions of the Alue-
! rican people-Of a great and indstructi-
| BILE party that claims TO embrace within
| it's folds a majority OF the citizens Of
| our great and spacious republic le Is
their political apostle and they adopt
his name in discriminating themselves as
Jenersonian Democrats.
OF an the great founders of the gov
eminent, and all who took prominent
part IN its early administration, there IS
not one, save Washington alone. 10 be
compared with him in the enduring fame
he enjoys as an exalted patriot and
wise political leader. The tomb OF the
one on the banks of the Potomac, ana
the tomb of the other on the commanding
! eminence that overlooks the spreading
! landscape Of the Piedmont. are the only
L
resort 10 indulge their feelings OF reNer-
ence and patriotism. II Mount Vernon
| is the especial shrine Of the heart Slonu-
cello 10 peculiarly tho Mecca OF the mind.
As profound eXpounder OF political phi
| lOsOphy and the science Of government,
/ Jefferson stands without a peer Con-
| formity 10 his principles and eXp0sitions
is regarded by a majority OF the Ameri-
can people as the true test OF political
orthodoxy. On the evening OF this. the
annivc. sary OF his birthday. banQuet5
will be given In every portion Of the land,
where his count.ymen Will testify their
generation for his character and their
almost idolatrous devotion 70 his political
principles. And 80. in "A certain sense,
it may be said that he IS endowed with
an immortal existence, since
Alike are life and death.
When life In death survives.
And the uninterrupted breath
Inpires a thousand lives.
Add when n great man dies,
For years beyond our ken
Tie light he leaves behind him lies
Upon the paths OF men.
l.. 5 MARYE
ClarksviIle's Officers.