The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-11

was ana came near
wrecking the young republic just set
UP. We make n long extract from
it that reveals its fine temper and its
superior tone. The geat man said:
All, too, will bea in mind this sa-
cred principle, that, though the viii
of the majority is in all to pre-
vail, that will, 10 be rightful, must
be reasonable; that the minority poss-
ess their equal rights, which equal law
u protect, and to violate would be
oppression. Let us, then, fellow-citi-
Zens, unite with n heart and one
mind. Let us restore to social inter
course that harmony and affection
without which liberty n even life
itself are but dreary things. And let
us refiec that, having banished from
our land that religious Intolerance I'M
der which mankind 50 long bled and
suffered, We nave yet gained little If
We cOuntenance a political intolerance
as despotic, as wicked, and capable
Of as bitter and bloody prosecutions.
During the throes and commissions OF
the ancient world, during the agoniz-
ing spaSms of Infatuated man, seek
ing Through blood and slaughter his
long-lost liberty, it was not wonder
full that the agitation OF the billows
hou reach even this distant and
peaceful shore; that this should be
more felt and feared by some and less
by others, and should divide opinions
as to measures of safety. But every
difference of opinion is not a difference
Of principle. We rave called by diff
ferent names brethren of the same
principle. We are all republicans, we
are all f~ederalists. If there be any
among us who would wish to dissolve
this Union or TO change its republican
form, let them stand undisturbed as
e.n+c Of tnQ safety with which
error of opinion may be tolerated
where reason is left free TO combat it."
Mr.. Jefferson so bore himself in his
great office tina at the end of the
term he was reelected by a great ma
jority. He was a true patriot, a strong
unfaltering believer in his country
men. He was an earnest believer in
the limitations of the constitution and
in the reserved rights of the states.
He was anti-Hamiltonian, and was
very instrumental in having the four
amendments in the constitution adopt
ed-amendments drawn in sympathy
with and in behalf of the people. We
must make one more brief extract to
day from the first Inaugural" of JEFF
ferson. What can be more ~benignant
and wise than the following noble SEN
timents:
Sometimes it is said that man can
not be trusted with the government
of himself. Can he, then, DE trusted
with the government of others? Or
| have we found angels in the forms OF
kings to govern him? Let history an
swer this question.
Lee us, with courage and confidence
nurSr1a III " federal and ranuhliC-9 n
principles, our attachment to union
and representative government. .
Still one thing more, fellow-citizenS-
a wise and frugal government, which
shall restrain men from injurlng one
another, shall leave hem otherwise
free to regulate their own pursuits Of
industry and improvement, and shall
| not TAX from the mouth of labor the
bread it has earned. This is the sum
of good government, and this is neceS-
sary to close the circle of our felici-
ties"
a word additional as to the histor-
ian quoted from. Henry Adams, whose
| style is excellent and capacity superb
or, published in nine Volumes what he
called History of the United States"
The first four volumes are confiened
to the administration of Thomas JEFF
ferson and James Madison. 1t is a
very useful, thorough, charming work.
Taken as a whole, there is nothing,
better thus far from an American pen.
The temper of Jefferson might be COM
mended to the Mckinley tribe of our
W day, Roosevelt and the northern
inkslingers might learn moderation
and decency and wisdom from the il
luStrious Virginian.