The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-07-03
UNIQUE GIFT FROM
VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
Facsimile Copy Of the Dec
laration of independence.
FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT
Presented by Judge J. 3. Sener, Presi-
dent of the Alumni Association Of the
Historic Old Coilege-Eloquent Ad-
dress Extolling Thomas Jefferson.

i
Representative James Hay Of vlr-
ginia called at the State Department
this morning in company with Judge J.
B. Sener, OF Virginia, and presented to
the department an authenticated fac-
smile reproduction of the Declaration
of Independence. Judge sener is presi-
dent Of the alumni Association OF the
University OF Virginia, founded by
Thomas jefferson, and he presented the
document to Secretary Hay in the name
o. that institution of learning With IN
appropriate speech. bringing out the 1T
.ress OF the time chosen for the preseu-
tation-on the eve Of Independence Day
and at the close Of the 125th year OF
American independence.
Secretary Hay responded briefly, ex-
pressing the qualification Of the depart
ment for the interesting and valuable
present, which was especially timely IL
view of the fact that It had recently be-
come necessary on account Of the rapid
deterioration OF the Ink and parchment
Of the original Declaration itself to
withhold It entirely from public exhi-
bition.
Secretary Hays Remarks.
He said that the gift would be espe-
ciaIly cherished as coming from the Uni
versity Of Virginia, one OF the principal
monuments OF -Jenerson's fame. and one
OF the institutions dearest to his heart.
The fac-simile bears the signature OF Co.
lEnbus DelanO. Secretary Of the Interior,
and n. D. Leggett. Commissioner Ct
Patents, and the following inscriptions:
Presented to the Department Of
State, OF which Thomas Jefferson was
the first Secretary, BIZ James 3. Saner.
president OF the General Alumni Asso-
citation Of the University Of Virginia. at
the close of the 125th year CT American
Independence. July 3. 1902.
Address of Judge Sener
Judge sener's remarks were as fol-
lows.
Mr.. Secretary: On this Sd OF July.
1902. at the close OF. the 18th year OF
American Independence. the original en-
crossed copy OF the Declaration OF IN
dependence, low IN your efiee, being
iIlegibIe and not shown TO the public be-
7 cause CO its general bad condition. I an
in your presence as president Of the
General Alumni Association OF the Uni
versity Of Virginia, and BY reason OF
previously obtained permission so 10 do.
10 present to the Department OF state
over which you 50 woFthiiy preside
facsimile photo-litho copy Of the Decla-
ration OF Independence This copy WIS
made more than a quarter OF 3 century
ago. whilst get It was possible 70 repro
duce II
Mr. jefferson was your first pTsde-
eessor as Prime Minister OF the United
States, and though he served as Vice
President and President Of this great
Republic. yet IN his old age. when mis-
end was approaching. he left the request
that If it we're deemed desirable TO erect
any monument over him it should be a
simple obelisk with the inscription;
Here was Buried
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Author OF Ihe
DECLARATION or INDEPENDENCE,
o. tie
Statute q Religious freedom,
and
Father Of the University Of Virginia
The stone over his remains has been
erected. with that simple inscription, at
Monticello. where Il stands today in
sight Of the great university which he
founded and loved SO we'll
A Peculiarly Appropriate Gift
1T seems to me, Mr.. Secretary, since
the great Declaration has faded from
view. that 1t Is peculiarly appropriate
that a facsimile copy Of it should be
placed in some big department OF this
Government. which Nj. Jefferson did SO
much TO establish and to develop; and
of all the departments of the Govern
ment. that OF the Department OF State,
Of which he was the first Secretary, is
the one wherein such q copy should be
kept. that the people OF his own coun-
| try. as OF the Old World may, II they
wish be enabled 10 look upon re-
production of that great original State
DaDer: and. as Mr. Jefferson regarded
| the establishment Of the University OF
( Virginia as one OF the three greatest ac-
/ complishments of his life. it IS betting
/ for the alumni OF that institution,
{ through its president, 20 bring to, and
present. through you. this Offering to the
State Department Of our great Republic,
/ ana to ask that 1t may be accepted as
1 the university's tribute TO its great
tfcunder. and 10 the Republic whose birth
/ the Declaration Of Independence pro-
/ claimed -