Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1911-06-29

KnEIaAl @O|LrN NAA AHo |
G>I memorial will stand the
Declaration Of Independence, but his
services to his country were SO many
and so magnificent that a grateful peo-
pie has enshrined him in its memory
second only, perhaps, to his immortal
fellow-patriot and statesman, George
Washington.
That Jefferson is richly deserving OF
more numerous memorials must be
conceded if one but recalls, for a mo
ment the variety Of his services to the
nation. His services as president OF
the United States and founder of one
of our great political parties com
mend him to u 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,-the
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 mai
could leave to the nation to whose
service he devoted his life,
University Jefferson's Memorial.
This aforementioned memorial /.
the University of Virginia which JET
ferson virtually founded and the up
building of which was the project
above all others nearest his heart. In
deed, 1t was his desire and avowed in
tention to make this ideal seat Of
learning his monument before pos
terity, and he watched it 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 a f~avorite
child. And yet the University of VIr.
ginia, despite its noble traditions and
the magnifcence of its architectural
setting, is not one Of the best known
colleges of the country and it is safe
to say that very few persons have
eve been brought to realize its slgni
ticance as the chosen monument Of
the author of the foundation stone Of
our liberty.
The forerunner Of the University o.
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 heaC
and founder of the institution, wa
elected to the board Of trustees ant
threw himself heart and soul int,
this labor Of love which appealed Il
him as few enterprises had done II
his whole eventful career. Througl
the wish of Jefferson, Charlottesville
his 'home town" in the foothills of tn
Blue Ridge mountains, was chosen a
the site for the new university and Il
1917 the cornerstone of the first builC
ing. Central college, was laid, Their
being present on this occasion no
only Thomas Jefferson, but also Jane
Madison and James Munroe, VIII
stand in history with Jefferson a
presidents Of the United States,
Original Building Still Standing.
The original site of the universlt
was a farm Of some two hundre
acres, picturesquely located in tn