The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-27
IL JEFFERSON SHOULD COME TO
VIRGINIA.

There has been much conjecture of
late as 10 what Thomas jefferson would
do in a political way If he should return
10 the United States in this day and ana
generation. For our part we are inclined
to think that in such an event the old
man would not trouble himself much
about politics. lie would hear the same
old cry about the dangers which threaten
the liberties Of the people about the
abuses of office. about the supreme i'm
poriance OF the forthcoming elections.
lie would hear the same old talk about
the rule Of the people against the rule OF
plutocracy. lie would hear men say that
the Office should seek the man and not
the man the office. lie would hear politi-
clans haranguing b0isterOus crowds and
declaring TO them that the very founda-
ton Of the republic would be shaken IL
he and his parry should fail 70 carry the
day. Politics is much the same now as
1t was in the days Of Mr. jefferson. for
human nature has not changed. There
are now issues. Of course. but political
methods and the ways and tricks Of poll
tlcians are what they have always been
and what they will ever be- for clap trap
and humbusgery endure forever. If Mr.
jefferson should return 10 life he would
be seeking after new things. and after
viewing the political situation and after
hearing the old time arguments be would
10 himself "same old lies" and look about
him for something more interesting
Would he find it? Verify. The first
thing that would interest him would De
those plendid new buildings at the Uni
versity and It would be gratifying 10
him TO know that although the old build
ings were recently destroyed by fire the
rotunda has been reproduced as he de-
signed II. the general plan has been pre-
served and the school work had been car
Tled on as he outlined it.
After satisfying himself that the Uni
versity was all right he would take him
self TO Monticello and begin to stock that
magnificent old homestead with modern
appliances. The building and the arcades
would be provided with electric lights;
there would be electric bells throughout
the household. and that old fashioned
dumb waiter that goes down into the
wine cellar would be brought up and down
at will BY the touch OF an electric but
ton. lie would have a splendid system
of water works with steam engine TO
pump the water into the reservoir and
he would luxuriate in a porcelain bath
tub set upon a marble floor IL is not az
all improbable that he would have the
Charlottesville trolley line extended up
20 the top Of the hill. lie would certainly
connect with the long distance telephone.
Having attended TO an these matters
he would naturally take a little run down
TO Richmond. lie would not come down
in an old time stage coach. but ne would
take the +. +, V. Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio. lie would secure an apartment in
one OF the magnificent Pullman cars and
would a'p his glass OF Monticello claret
while he read the news and JeNersonian
Democracy In The Richmond Times. Ar
rived IN Richmond he would take a rub
Der tired cab and 90 up to our grand hotel
that bears his name. Imagine the old
mans delight and surprise In walking
through that splendid building Mr.. Frye
would give him q warm welcome and
assign him 20 one Of the cosy parlors
upstairs where the old gentleman would
regale himself I'm the luxuries or a pri-
vate bath room and order refreshments
for the inner man through the electric
Indicator. lie would come down 10 his
lunch and passing out into the behowered
court he would behold that noble repre-
sentaiiOn In marble OF himself. and he
would drop a grateful tear as tribute
20 the noble man who had thus remem-
bered him.
Does anybody believe that under such
circumstances Mr.. Jefferson would spend
his time In the hotel lobby talking poll
tics. or being interviewed by reporters
as 20 his opinion about the free coinage
OF silver No he would tell the reporters
that his vacation was short and that
he was TOO busy 20 think about politics.
Having visited Richmond lie would