The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-16
PEOPLE AND POLITICS.
BY AN OBSERVER.

These are Thomas Jefferson uays' Last
Thursday was the anniversary OF ms
birth. There have been many celeprA-
tlons throughout our Union Of this event.
Much good food has been eaten and some
good wine has been drunk-all IN honor
Of our great Vireinian. There seems 10 be
a rivalry these DAYS as TO who would Dest
evennlifv the doctrines and sentiments
OF Thomas Jefferson If he were awe TO-
day. II is all very absurd controversy,
There IS no telling what Jefferson would
be doing or thinking n he were alive III
our politics at this time but OF on9
thing we all may feel sure-that nc "ouia
NOT he looking back hundred years ana
irving 10 adapt himself 20 mems Opinions
al that time. nor would he be heiFou7y
anxious TO lay claim TO the pieslis' ,"'-
lies in names OF great men ions -
dead The big raw-Doned' IT.
sandy-haired youngster the SON Oh ',L.
old Peter Jefferson and Jane handoiph'
who went down 10 Williamsburg To rep
resent the county Of Albemarle M lnr
House Of Purposes was a ripper-up OF
proconceived notions. and pretty geuu-
inc article OF radical. He lined M Win
tho Younger set and gave the wise anu
conservative old NirginianS great 81
OF trouble We did not speaN nuo"' DN-
when he nut his pen 10 paper there ~
something Draconic drastic. dynamic .l
thu words that flowed from his pen MS
face was 90 the future. ana ne ITO, U",
followed the DRIFT 0f things. oul ne "e'plN
things drift lie gathered into MS
the tides or public sentiment ana o."
on them by the power or ms slea. VIZ
and bv tho strength and protundlty OF
Continental Congress he was stili Step
or two IN advance even OF the majority
OF that body. and they found 10 necessary
20 soften down and cut out a rev ak
press'one I'm the original draft OF his I'M
mortal declaration. To may be interesting
% note that one Of the phrases cut QUIZ
% that Declaration was conoelninls
George IT. f0r encouraging slate trade
That was voted out By Northern mem
bers because so much Of their northern
shipping was engaged I'm this trade ana
they did not want 10 ALLEVIATE inc Ne"
England men.
We very much doubt II Jefferson would
feel at home I'm any OF the present po-
htical parties IN our republic; but then
81 Jefferson had been living at this time
there Is great PROBABILITY that by the toice
of his intellect and will he would nave
moulded I'm this country a party that
would have been in accord with his prin-
c.ples AS 20 whether Jefferson would
have been I'm favor OF the free coinage OF
silver no sixteen 20 one. we leave that 70
those minds that can get the most COM
fort out az their speculatiOps. We do
know that while President. he directed
his minister's throughout the world 10
investigate Che proper commercial ratio
between the two metals, and he direct
Cd the miuts coming AZ az near as posi-
bic the commercial ratio" But as that
was a0t am issue In his day. we cannot
lay claim 20 q mental horoscope tnat
would te'i his view at this time. w e
leave that 90 Mr. Bryan or 70 Mt Bel
mont under the soft glow of the chande-
Hers and the mellow warmth of the wine.
so doubt they can tell their brother
diners au about &c.
One thing. Jefferson did stand for IN
great contrast TO his contemporary states
men That was I'm trusting the people
and encouraging them in taking an in-
terest I'm every phase and form of their
government. TO the people We went for
the true source OF power in America. aud
IN the peoples Will he trusted lie bee
ueyed On the discussion OF public ques-
lions on the hastings I'm the newspaper
prints and in che debates OF Congress
and after o. matter was thoroughly aired
and the people educated and ready for
their verdict. that verdict was conclu-
siNe to him. The way in which jefferson
diguided The individual citizenship OF Anne
RIGA has made that citizenship more
worthy and potent for governing. The
only way 10 create character IS 30 let ~
feel the weight of responsibility. Tie was
no vain and strutting demagOeue ike
Gloon of old. Aattering the people with
their power ami Importance but he look
ed upon the people with all the benignlty
and beneyoleuce of patriarchal leader
and with a desire 10 see his children grow
Up strong and willing workers in the
temple of liberty
Jefferson dreaded the empirical and cen
Trailing tendencies Of the government
more than anything else during his life
time AS Hamilton and Federalists
seemed 20 gain power, &c oyer-clouded
him Ike a nightmare. and his soul s.
alarm was something Titanic. HIS life
passion had been struggle against cen-
traized power and undue political au-
fIDtly IN inc NdNle OF "a Jew re Na
sired 10 see it disseminated and scat
tered abroad among the people and
far as was consistent to let each cll-
zen move about the earth without ever
feeling the hand of restraint 0r ~ gov
eminent upon him Just as he harmed
not the inaIcuable rights OF his neigh0or.
He fought with the energy OF great
mind lll special and class legislation and
despised with consuming anger those who
would use the general government to
favor them in schemes OF greed ana
grasp. The government ran on I'LL near
1850 oy the mighty impetus that he had
given it IN the matter OF free ANA pure
Democracy Then the lur.d upheaFal OF
civil war came. and there was an influx
of elements and principles that have
used The government % favor their own
partial view and private interests. IL me
principles Of jefferson ruled in this IA
ton to-day. we should undoubtedly have
greater freedom Of banking privileges ana
greater freedom OF foreign exchanges.
Just as it IS impossible TO tell why IN
a short period during the age Of Pericles
in the little country of Greece. so many
men % genius We're born into the world
and did their work just as it is impossl-
bic TO tell how both Caesar aud CICERO
were alive In the same city al the same
time with other men Of great and burn
ing genius just as IL is Impossible 10
explain why IN the little island of Eng
land there should have been sich
mighty outburst OF immortal gius as t"e