The National tribune., 1900-10-04

In 1902 this Government found out by
chance that Spain had made secret
treaty and had actually ceded Louisiana
to France. She had broken her treaty
with the United States, and cargoes could
not be deposited at New Orleans. Ken
lucky and Ohio suffered most, and wanted
to take Louisiana by force: but a better
course prevailed. Napoleon was loug-
sighted enough to see that he could not
maintain a French colony in America,
and he also thought if the United States
were strengthened it would weaken Eng
land, and so he proposed the sale of Lou
isiana to the United States.
The bargain was made April 80, 1903,
and the Americans came into possession of
an immense, fertile, region, controlling
one of the finest rivers in the world, and
which has become magnificent seat of
commerce, for S15, 100000. This sale con-
veyed sovereign rights over the popula-
ton, savage and civilized, of that immense
territory, and they were not asked to agree
to the transfer. The consent of the gov
erned" bore no part in the transaction;
in fact, five times have the United States
acquired title to land and sovereignty over
people by purchase.
In 1894 the candidates of both parties
were nominated by Congressional eau
cuses. jefferson and George Clinton, of
New York, were the Republican nominees;
Charles G. Pinckney and Rufus King, of
New York, were the nominees of the Fed
eralists. The Republican candidates were
elected by large majorities. The demo-
cratic policy of Jefferson pleased the. peo-
pie and won their support. In many ways
he showed a wise craftsmanship that
worked for the well being of the young
Nation. One phase of Jeffersons char
acter was regarded with distrust-his
seeming opposition to all church "estab-
! lishments."' And yet he apparently IA
vored religious liberty, although it has
been asserted that the great issue from
| 1886 to 1908 was one between Jefferson,
who was an avowed freethinker, and the
| New England ministers. Hosts of his ad-
mirers wished the coming generation to
bear his name, and so the children, many
of them, carry the name of Thomas JEFF
! ferSon.
Mr.. Bryce tells good story that was
related to him. A New England clergy
man, when being about ready to baptize
child, asked the child's name, and the
father replied, Thomas Jefferson" He
answered in a loud voice: mo such un.
Christian name. John Adams l baptize
thee" with the other sacramental words
of the rite.
Jefferson dinners became the rage, and
high-fiown speeches on his birthday, un
Ill it became quite rival to Feb. %
Washingtons birthday. There is no ques
ton but Jefferson's first Administration
was singularly successful. He had re
duced the public debt S12,000,000. had re
lieved the people of taxes, and nearly
doubled the area of the United States
and was recompensed by larger popu
lar vote the second term. This term be
gan March 4, 1906. He soon found lions
in the way, and his second term was be
set with difficulties. The unpopular en-
barge act was passed, under the inspira
ton of the Republican party.
The commercial relations between
America, England and France became
more troublesome month by month Jef
fcrson had cut down the small feet. and
the people were beginning to see the cyi
effects of mistaken economy 1t was in
December, 1865, the Republicans. assem-
bled in Congress, dropped their name and
became Democrats"
1t was admitted that neither Jefferson
nor Madison conducted foreign affairs
with any success. The small assures OF
ldisintegration began to show themselves
The allegation of "mob-rule," or too much
freedom, from the opposite party, led
them to the rejection of the old name of
Jefferson's selection and the adoption OF
I"Democrat."
Three days before Jefferson retired from