Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-04-15
An IDEAL Statesmen.


Thomas Jefferson has long since fill
ed mis- allotted space in the sepulchre oil
time, but his thoughts and deeds have
become the rich heritage Of posterity.
Living in an age when eloquence
and warfare were the chief passports
to fame, he was neither soldier nor or
ator. Yet after both are forgotten, his
name will be revered because che low
ed his fellow men," and stood "for
equal rights for all and special priyi-
Ieges for none"
Jefferson was the founder OF the
democratic party. He was The first
great democrat. He was great in mind
heart and soul He eonsecrated them
all to the cause of humanity. He was
too broad to be bound by any creed,
class or country. He was one of the
worlds noblemen.
By birth, education and environ
ment Jefferson was an aristocrat. Yet
at a time when special privileges
and royal favors were what most
men desired, he allied himself with the
people.
The owner Of large estate, he abol-
ished the law of entail. which selfishly
enabled few families to accumulate
g,eat landed estates. Himself the ell
dest son he abolished primogenitre, by
which the first born inherited the en-
tire estate. Himself the largest slave
holder in the Virginia Legislature, he
introduced bill to abolish slavery.
Jefferson was leader. He never al
lowed self-interest to conflict with
duty. Wherever human beings were
oppressed, he was with them in spirit,
and his voice was raised for their sal
walton.
jefferson was accused of being irreli-
gious, but no one had more beautiful
religion. He divorced union of church
and state. He denied the right of Iegis-
lators 10 determine by law the faith
and worship of the human soul.
Jefferson declared in tones yet ring
ing through the world, that Gal.
mighty God hath made the mind free y
10 Jeflersou's genius we owe the
conception and ex scution of the Dec
laration of epehdence. 10 his un.
faitering trust III the rule Of the PEG :
plewe owe its survival.
1.-The Declaration of independence e
was the blow that destroyed the di-
vine right of kings, and revolutionized
the politics of the world" 1t was the
most momentous document ever writ
ten by man.
He was man Of faith and conv1c-
ton. He believed in the divinity of
humanity. He had perfect confidence
in the people if equal and exact Justice
were guaranteed.
He knew that all rulership of classes
had been oppressive and unjust, and
untavorable to the highest develop
thNtt vi anu ClNIlcLdllOn.
For hundreds of years the hu-
man mind, shackled and awed by
power, had yielded TO the dictates of
usnrpation and the arrogant preten-
tons of self ,eated kings. Politlca |
and civil liberty had long been sighed
for. Jefferson was the master spirit in
wping from the statute books the
barbarous legislation of past centuries.
his reform legislation was one hun
dred years in advance of his slime. He
wrote the amendments to The consti-
tuition without which that famous in
strument would be but "soundIng
brass and tinkling cymbals."
Few equaled Jefferson in scholarly
attachments. Admission to the bar re-
qulred but six months study. Jefferson
studied five years. No superficial
knowledge or halfway recognition of
facts satisfied him. He must sound tbe
depths and seek the fountain head. Ali
MS life he was a student a seeker after
knowledge. Almost every branch of
endeavorfelt the impress of his genius.
AS statesman his principles live IN
all that is greatest and.sbest Of Il S
country's history. AS diplomat he
established our first relations with
foreign powers. AS a philosopher his
name VIII survive as long as Tue :. w
of progress fills the world.
Jeiierson's life is notable example
1i the fact that the "pen is might r
than the swcrd.' He accompl sueu all
his vast work with his Deu.