The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-09-28
Ole Life nd imes Of
THOMAS JEFFER son
By THOMAS F.. WATSON
Author Of "obe Story Of France" 'Napoleon" Etc

sively increasing as the income increased.
He believed that the earth belonged to
the living, not to the dead. and That each
generation should enjoy only the use OF
the land. He denied that one generation
had the just right to bind succeeding
generations. 1t was on this principle
that he opposed entailed estates and de-
nounced perpetual national debts.
Unfetter the law with the death of each
life owner: and 'let each generation pay
it's own debt as it goes
He opposed the appointment OF women
to office; and thought the whole world
would be gamer If commerce enjoyed
perfect freedom. He declared that we
should not NEEDLE with European at
fairs nor allow Europe to intermeddle
with affairs this side.
world mission bombast apparently
had not entered his poor. unprogressive
head
The equal rights of man and the happi-
ness of every individual he believed to be
the only legitimate objects of govern
ment SO far from being monomaniac on
the subject of gold or silver as standards
Of value he declared that fixed quantity
of wheat would be IN most countries the
best permanent standard Of value.
Foreign relations are the province Of
the federal government domestic regu-
lations and institutions belong in every
state to itself
Honesty is the first chapter Of the
book Of wisdom; to do what Is right Is
the one true rule OF conduct
Let all the world pray to heaven that
at length there may be on earth peace
and good will toward men"
Jof
ferson and wrote SO much. expressing
opinions on SO many topics would nave
been more than human had he never
said a foolish thing nor ever involved
himself In a contradiction. The men who
hunt with microscopes for fly specks on
pictures without ever being able to see
the picture, do a thriving business pick
ing out the flaws and specks IN Jefferson.
But after all Is said 1t comes down TO
this: His DISSEMINATION was that to the
man of the world who knows better than.
to tell the men he wants to uee That
he hates them even when he does hate
them: his diplomacy was that of the
traveller who reaches the summit along
the line Of the least resistance post
poning TO the very last the open breach
which cannot be repaired; his nconsist-
ency was that of the practical leader who,
not being able to get what he knows to
be best. accepts a compromise rather than
get nothing. \ theorist. he allowed the
force Of circumstances to constrain him
to be silent when his convictions babe
him speak, to be quiescent when they
would have urged him to active oppos1-
ton.
In theory he was an absolute free
trader. but he led no crusade against the
federalist tariff
He believed that the nation should sup
plement its gold and silver currency by
national paper currency of its own
treasury notes bottomed on taxes: but
While he was president he made no efforts
to inaugurate his system. He stressed 1t
strongly in letters to his son In law,
Eppes, who served long and prominently
in congress, but his system was only par
TALLY practiced. lie detested the federal
judiciary and denounced the judges az
sappers and miners who We're loosening
the foundations of democracy; but rs
did not exert himself to cure the disease
with any constitutional treatment. 1T ex-
cited his profound Indignation to see the
government abdicate in favor of national
banks the sovereign power to create
money, hut when his friend. Madison.
was about to sign a bill to incorporate
the third great national bank we do not
find that Mr.. Jefferson protested
The constitution did not authorize the
acquisition of foreign territory or
system of internal improvements, yet he
bought Louisiana. tried 10 buy Florida
and spoke of spending the surplus reve-