The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-08-13

cOnnneQ TO American SOIL. IL mas Deen
reflected back on the monarchies of
the eastern continent, producing Tevo-
4ution after revolution and several
free governments. France is now re-
public, and Italy and Spain tending in
that direction. Ireland having passed
through several revolutions, is far Oh
her way to home rule and local self
government. England, though remain
ing limited monarchy in form, is
virtually free government. While
the socialists of Germany and the
nihilists of Russia are the leaven
which will sooner or later overthrow
those great monarchies.
The United States has become one
Of the great world powers; and her
il fiuence is felt and respected to the
ends of the earth. A bare suggestion
from President Mckinley prevented
the dismemberment of China by rob-
Der nations of Europe. All these
mighty effects have resulted from the
Declaration of Independence.
In October, 1776, Jefferson took his
seat in the Virginia house of burgess
es, and began a greater work than
even the Declaration of Independence
He introduced a bill to abolish the
state religion, and to secure religious
freedom to all the people. Also bills
tc repeal the laws of primogeniture,
and the laws of entail. Never was a
greater fight made for both civil and
religious liberty than Jefferson waged
against the aristocracy of Virginia,
all Of whom belonged to the church of
England. supported by taxes on the
people, and all of whom regarded the
law of primogeniture which gave all
of the property to the first born son,
as of divine origin. This law of
p1 imogeniture, and that of entail, by
which the lands could be tied up in
the same families for generations,
were the bulwarks of the aristocracy.
After nearly three years of persistent
work he accomplished the herculean
task Of repeating all those great sup
ports of the English constitution.
By the abolition of primogeniture
and entail, Jefferson prevented for a
time the perpetuation of immense
landed estates in the same families.
But the devil has fanked this great
work by bringing into the field an in
tangible brood called corporations,
which have no bodies to kick and no
souls to damn, but which acquire un-
limited values Of property, pay little
taxes, and without father or mother
live on forever. sa
But Jefferson's efforts on the line OF
religious freedom, have been much
r,Ore successful. He succeeded in
aholishing state religion, and securing
religious liberty for all the people.
The example OF Virginia was rapidly
followed by all of the other states,
and the principle Of religious liberty
was Incorporated into the constitution
OF the United States, immediately af-
ter its adoption by amendment | con-
slider this the greatest work of Jeffer-
sons wonderful life. Civil liberty is
dear. indeed, but religious liberty is
lar more so. No more despotic thing
has ever been done on earth than for
the state controlled by party or
church TO prescribe human duty. es-
tai iish a religious oligarchy to en-
force it, tax the people to support it,
and punish those who will not believe
its creed and obey its commands.
Hypnotized by this diabolical idea.
John Calvin, the founder of a great
! eligious system. murdered Servetus, a
Tar better man than himself, al the
stake and with slow fire in order to
extend his suffering. The same dcyilish
moral insanity has snuffed out the
lives OF millions of martyrs in every
land on earth. But church murder re-
oeived its death blow when Jefferson's
lii for religious liberty passed the
Virginia legislature, and now martyr
dom for religions opinion seldom oc-
ours in any part of the world.
Though Jefferson had no connection
with any church, he was a religious
man He believed in the fathsrhood
OF God and the brotherhood OF man. |
He believed that all human beings are
born free and equal; not equal in
capacity, but in natural rights. He
was therefore opposed to human slav-
cry III all its forms. He ever regard |
Cd African slavery as it existed in the
United States, as both a moral and |
political evil. In 1878 he secured the |
passage OF an act in the Virginia leg
stopping the Importation of |
slaves into the state; and two years I