The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-06-30


DEGENERATION OF Independence. but his
services to his country were so many
and so magnificent that a grateful PEG
pie has enshrined him In its memory
second only. perhaps, to his Immortal
fellow patriot and statesman. George
Washington. d,
That jefferson is richly deserving oil
more numerous memorials must be
conceded ~ one but recalls. for mo
ment the variety of his services to the
nation. His services as president oil
the United States and founder OF one
OF our great political parties com
mend him to our gratitude as do his
diplomatic triumphs and his activity
as one of the prime movers In the
whole revolutionary movement, but
after all. perhaps his strongest claim
upon the admiration OF the American
people In all generations, past and To
come. is as the author OF that key
stone of our national existence,-th
Declaration OF Independence.
1t is probable that the next decade
will witness the provision OF an
acknowledgment In marble and bronze
OF the republics debt TO Jefferson that
will In some degree make up by Its
splendor for the hardness of its crea.
ton. However. Jefferson's fame has
not waited upon such reminder. As
has been said. there are several stat
ues of him in public places; there is
an imposing though simple monument
over his grave in the hills OF Virginia.
and finally there Is a memorial which
is as noble a heritage as any man
could leave to the nation to whose
service he devoted his life.
University Jefferson's Memorial.
This aforementioned memorial is
the University OF Virginia which JEFF.
ferson virtually founded and the up.
building OF which was the project
above all others nearest his heart In,
deed. II was his desire and avowed In.
tention to make this ideal seat OF
learning his monument before pos.
terity, and he watched II develop on a
site he chose almost under the shadow
of his beloved home at. Little Noun
| tain with all the solicitude which a
father might extend to ,favorite
child. And yet the University of VIZ
ginia, despite Its noble traditions and
the magnifcence of its architectural
setting. il not one of the best known
colleges Of the country and II is safe
to say that very few persons have
ever been brought to realize its signi
ficance az the chosen monument oil
the author OF the foundation stone OF
our liberty.
The forerunner OF the University oil
Virginia. which was. by the way. the
first real university established in the
New World. was authorized by the
state legislature OF Virginia In the
year 1903 but no Roadway was made
with the project until March. 1914
when Thomas Jefferson. the real head
and founder OF the institution, wa.
elected to the board Of trustees and
threw himself heart and soul into
this labor of love which appealed tt
him as few enterprises had done In
his whole eventful career. Through
the wish of Jefferson. Charlottesville
his home town" In the foothills of tn.
4 Blue Ridge mountains. was chosen Al
the site for the new university and II
1917 the cornerstone Of the first build
ing. Central college. was laid. Their,
being present on this occasion no
only Thomas jefferson. but also james
Madison and James Munroe. VIII,
stand in history with Jefferson a
presidents Of the United States.
Original Building Still Standing.
1 The original site Of the universit,
was a farm Of some two hundre,
acres. pieturesquely located In th,