The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-14

taught political equality and religious
freedom in a day when men were just
emerging from long night of vassa-
lage. Today the commercialism that
elevates the dollar above the man
stands in the way of the full accept
ance of his creed. But the day will
come-(it is coming just as rapidly as
education and love of liberty and JUS
tice are diffused) when Mr.. Jefferson
will be revered all over the world as
the patron saint of liberty as Luther
is as the foremost spirit of Protestant
religion.
On every recurring thirteenth of
April, the birthday of Mr.. Jefferson
is celebrated by the patriotic men of
the immortal party into which he
breathed the spirit of life. Yesterday
was no exception, but not only was he
hailed as the foremost statesmen and
seer the Republic has produced by
more than one half of the Anglo
Saxon population of America, but
yesterday as the founder of great
university and as the pioneer in the
system of public education that has
made the achievements of Americans
possible.
In Chicago, the most eloquent ora
tor of this century and the unques-
toned leader of the Democratic
party, spoke of Jefferson's political
teachings and applied the principles of
his creed to the living problems of to-
day.
In Charlottesville, the home of
Jefferson and of the, University of
Virginia founded by him, the most
eloquent of Southern educator, called
to the presidency of that famous in
stitution, spoke of Jefferson's contri-
button to the educational life of the
Republic.
Extracts from the speeches of both
these speakers appear elsewhere in
todays paper. No two men in Ameri-
ca are more competent to speak upon
the political and educational phases
Of Jefferson's life. Mr.. Bryan is him
self a modern Jefferson-moved by
the same patriotic impulses, preach
ing the same doctrine, and opposing
the rule of caste and privilege. He
has sat long at the feet of the
Gamaliel of Monticello and interpreted
his teachings and applied them to the
problems of today. Jefferson for
t,,3otolx, Gov +loo x1vorId 1ixad in n dav
when the mass of men worked for
themselves and wished nothing but
fair chance. The power that stood
for graft and special privilege could
not thwart the will of the people.
Unfortunately for America, the con-
ditions that exist today make it diff
cult for the people to make their will
effective, and Mr.. Bryan has not yet
reached the high official position at
tanned by Mr.. Jefferson. But the evil
dences multiply that 1.-THE System"
which controls pivotal States as it con-
trolls business, cannot long dominate.
Mr. Bryan, in his life, in his thought,
in his devotion to the real interests
of the people, as John w. Daniel said
in 1896. "our own Jefferson incarnate
and / heard him tonight, as / was
looking at the statue of Jefferson,
almost felt that life had re-entered
the marble, and I was hearing the
animated truths from the sage of
Monticello
President Alderman, animated by
the passion of educating all the peo-
pie, has the same spirit of faith in
their ability for self government that
always animated Mr.. Jefferson. 1t is
fortunate that a man in such sympa-
thy with Jefferson's ideals has been
called to the presidency at the be-
ginning of this new century. He will
not slavishly worship at the shrine OF
Jefferson, though he will reverently
regard his views upon education, art,
sculpture, freedom of religion and po-
litical freedom and seek to apply them
to the conditions of today, and he will
find that they need little adaptation
to make them suit any age or coun-
try. In his inaugural he shows that
he has caught the ideals of Jeffer-
son and will have no higher earthly
prayer than that he may find in his
living spirit the inspiration and the
wisdom to guide the fortunes of the
old University still nearer to the high
destiny to which it was consigned by
the genius of its founder.
Jefferson still lives-in politics he
lead men away from special privilege
into equal rights for ALL" and in
education to stand for the education
of all the people from the university
| to the humblest school that teaches