The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-02-23
Thomas Jefferson.

" " " ~ " kAs WI
Patrick Henry. 1t is said that the
magnetic influence of his friend caused
him to aspire to political favors, and in,
1853 he offered himself as candidate
and was elected from Albemarle Coun-
ty, taking his seat OH May 11th, 1869.
From this time on Jefferson tegan to
make his influence felt among his
colleagues. He was not a public
speaker of any note, but was an
influential writer. He was what one
would term an organizer, and as
the House was usually dissolved
shortly after its coming together OH
account of the utterances against
England. Jefferson would invite the
members to his hotel and there hold
secre: conferences. In 1873, after the
second dissolution of the House the
members were organized and COM
mittees appointed and the offspring of
these meetings was the forming of
standing committee instructed to
correspond with the sister colonies,
inviting them to appoint delegates to
meet in general conference at point
most convenient for all the colonies.
Philadelphia was shortly afterwards
chosen as the meeting point and
September, 1774, the delegates met in
general conference. The result of this
congress, to which Jefferson was the
delegate from Virginia, was the draw
ing up and signing of the Declaration
of Independence.
Incidently at this point will repeat
some of the conversation that took
place at the time of the signing of this
great document. After John Hancock
had made his signature he said that
John Bull could read it without spec
tacles, but becoming more serious he
urged upon lis comrades the necessity
of them all hanging together in this
matter. Benjamin Franklin upheld it
saying that they must all hang together
or assuredly they would all hang separ-
ately. Benjamin Harrison, who was
a fieshy man, remarked to Elbridge
Gerry, from Massachusetts,, one of the
smallest delegates, that he would have
the advantage of him, that it would be
all over with him before Gerry was
done kicking in the air.
On June l, 1879, Jefferson was chosen
governor of Virginia to succeed Henry
His administration has been severely
criticised. 1t has been said that he
lacked foresight and left the people
unprotected during the early part OF
the war of Independence, yet question
if the governor of any state could have
done more than did Jefferson under
the circumstances, for the treasury
was empty and the state had no arms
Tor it's defenders.
At the expiration of his two years
} term of governor he retired to private
, life upon his farm, but feeling that HI
} was being unjustly criticised he once
l more sought membership to the legis
. lature that he might be able to answer
s his accusers. On June 6, 1888, the Vir
o ginia legislature elected him to congress
: and in the following November he hat
the honor and pleasure of signing tn,
!, treaty which established the independ
r ence declared in his document mad
h seven years before. On July 5, 1884, h
q was sent to Europe to aid DR.. FRANKLIN
: and John Adams in negotiating treaties
t and upon their departure for home b
Q became United States minister t.
France.
Q When he returned in 1887 he was in
y vited by President Washington to FL
,, the office of secretary of war, and o.
O March 21st, 1870, he entered upon tn
Q duties of his Office. While secretary Q
II war he was severely criticised for tn
IS part he played to aid Hamilton in 81
h curing the sight for the propose
National Capital.
f. Jefferson was considered the mos
70 critical and successful politician 9
Is his day. He was deep thinker COZ
It corning the theories of governmer
IS and the principles of social and poll
IS ical organization, yet he could hardl
l. bring himself to the point to declal
If the people should govern. Shortly a