The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-31
The Life and Times
- OF y
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Being the First Part of History of the United States
Copyright. @ b. u

Lodge, Theodore Roosevelt ana Other
writer's who are modern outcroppiags
of the old federalist VEIN amuse one an
other by keeping alive the legend of JEFF
ferson's 'timdity and vacilla ton.
Because he would not stoop to
personal brawls, because he would
not lower himself to have a
newspa per controversy with Hamilton,
he has been pictured as a coward who
could be frightened from any position he
took and scared off from any route he
proposed to take. Political pre1udlce, par
tisan rancor. Incorporate abuse could not
go much further than this in scouting
facts.
In his day. Mr. Jefferson combatted q
greater number of laws which We're op-
pressive, customs which were state. ten
denotes which were undemocratic and
fixed opinions which were popular thar
any other man in public life. He attack
ed systems of creeds where they were
most sensitive He aroused vested inter
ests which were the most powerful. and
which were alarmed are the most vindlc-
tive.
Yet never once IN all his long NE uiu
he falter surrender or apostatiZe
He took the unpopular side ON slavery
ana held to it. He detied the religious
bigortv of his times. aud continued ~
DEFY II. He challenged the orSahiZeo
power Of land monopoly and class rue
in his own state and overthrow IT, ne
dared TO take issue with the great WASH
ington hmeelf, in the state where theS
both lived and into the ears OF 'he usi p
Washington rang the shouts OF 1enei
sons victory as Virginia swung away
from federalism and marshaled hef "o' %
for jefferson and democracy.
DO towards raise and ride such s'oih9
as these? ,.4a,.
DO men who are weak and irreso'ute
plan such campaigns and win such VIZ
umphs as these?
one is not much surprised that Henry
Adams should preserve in his DOCKS vac
hereditary hatred of the Adamses 4ot
Thomas jefferson. but when Iheodote
Roosevelt In his Winning OF the West
refers to cur great leaders a. 'ponhclahS
IF the Infamous stripe of Thomas JeHet-
son and James Madison" and ailudes 10
Jefferson time and again. as timid, Wea X
and vaciNating one Is panied dlsappolh'-
ed discouraged.
Politicians of the infamous stripe OF
Thomas jefferson,
Weak. timid. vacilatng Was he, In
deed. so despicable?
Comparisons if odous. are sometimes
the only methods OF measurement, IT
SO happens that since Mr. RooseVe" 5
book was written he himself has assumed
The role of a great reformer. In ne"
York state he was given power and OPP
portunitv to effect reforms. to destroy the
wicked and to purify the political at
mosphero In his state of New ofk ne
had lust the same chances to COMBAT
boar,- wrongs as Jefferson enjoyed in
Virginia.
AS president of the United States, also.
Mr. roosevelt has had the widest field.
the largest opportunity to show his cour-
age and his ability.
There was class greed 10 curb. as in
Jefferson's day
common humanity. sorely oppressed.
called for a champion ii did in Jeffer-
sons day.
The weak trampled upon by the strong,
cried aloud for mercy-as IN Jefferson ;
day.
infamous stripe?'
BY no means.
Is he weak. timid. vaciiatng?'
Fax from it.
Then. where are his trophies, such as
jefferson won?
What BATTLES has he fought for the
oeople-such as Jefferson fought? What
vested wrongs has he abolished, what
abuses has he remedied, what evil laws
has he repealed, what unjust systems has
he reformed, what victim Of social and
Industrial tyranny has he freed?
Where has he confronted class despot-
ism and. with battle ak in hand. SAID:
Turn loose"
YES. comparisons are odious
Mir Roosevelt win be fortunate H. ad'ef
his reign is over posterity shall forget
that he plloried Thomas jefferson as a
noIiticiau Of the infamous STRIPE.