The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-27
The Jenersonian CycIopedia.

This Is a valuable book of reference.
Thomas Jefferson was one of the most vol
luminous writer's among American states
men. n close observer. an acute thinker,
a profound political philosopher, a student
OF human affairs and human nature in all
their phases, he wrote instructively on a
great variety Of topics. His views and con-
clusions are not all of equal value, but in
very many instances they show remarkable
sagacity, wisdom and foresight. This is
true of other matters besides politics. His
collected writings embrace many volumes,
and any person who has had occasion to
search through them for his utterances re-
eardlng particular subjects or questions
knows how inconvenient the process is.
The Jeffersonian C~yclopedia" furnishes a
very satisfactory means of avoiding this
labor. 1t is a comprehensive compilation
from all of Jefferson's writings, including
his views and expressions on a great va
riety of subjects alphabetically arranged
according to topics and with topical cross
reference index. The volume is a large oc-
tavo of Loo pages and contains upwards
or 9,UVO extracts. Many of the extracts pos
sess timeliness and interest during the
present campaign. A few examples will
serve to show the character of the work.
Thus we find.
1874. Conquest, Title by.-It is an estab-
lished principle that conquest gives only an
inchoate right, which does not become per-
feet till confirmed by the treaty of peace
and by a remuneration or abandonment by
the former OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES River
Instructions, viii, 572. Ford ed, X, 1863.
Q792.)"
1884. Expansion, Safety in.-I know that
the acquisition OF Louisiana has been dis
approved by some, from a candle apprehen-
sion that the enlargement of territory
would endanger its Union. But who can
limit the extent to which the federative
principle may operate effectively? The
larger our association, the less will il be
shaken by local pasSionS.-Second Inaugu-
raj Address. viii. Al Ford ed. viii. S44.
QS05.)"
From this it appears that the extension
of republican institutions by the acquisition
of new territory had no terrors for Jeffer-
son. His expression in the Declaration of
independence regarding the consent of the
governed" has been made much use of
by the Anti-imperialists, yet we find him
writing: 1886. - -. L do not indeed
wish to see any nation have a form of gov
eminent forced on them; but If 1t is to be
done, l should rejoice at its being a freer
one.-To Peregrine Fitzhugh, iv. 2lS. Ford
ed, vii, 211. Pa., 1881"
And this:
of the institution of a government is to Sc
cure the greatest degree of happiness pos
sible to the general mass of those asso-
ciated under ito NJ. Van Der Kemp,
vi, As. (M., 1S12.)"
This is a better definition of the orthodox
object of the institution of government
than that which limits 1t to the consent Of
the governed. In like manner we have
Jefferson's views regarding education,
slavery, the Louisiana purchase, majority
rule, religion, the army, the navy, self
government, finance, political economy,
monarchy, national currency, official pat
ronage, tariff legislation, meteorology. nat
ural science, and hundreds of other topics.
The work Of compiling, editing and index
ing the extracts has hQQn most fnfRlt-
gently done by John p. Foley, and the
book is published in attractive form by
the Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York.
There are five portraits of Jefferson by as
ture OF Monticello, the home of Jefferson.