The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1911-06-30

declaration Of Independence, but MS
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 ese variety Of his services to tho
nation. His services as president OF
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, 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 tardness 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 Jeferson's Memorial.
This last-mentioned 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, it was his desire and avowed in
tention to make this ideal seat OF
learning his monument before pos
terity, and he watched il develop on
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 favorite
child And yet the University of Vir-
ginia, despite its noble traditions and
the magnificence of its architectural
setting is not one of the best known
colleges OF the country and IL is safe
TO say that very few persons have
ever been brought to realize its signi-
ficance as the chosen monument Of
the author Of the foundation stone of
our liberty
The forerunner Of the University Of
Virginia, which was, by the way. the
first real university established I'm the
New World, was authorized by the
state legislature of Virginia i'm the
year 1903 but no headway was made
with the project until March, 1914,
when Thomas jefferson. the real head
and founder Of the institution was
elected TO the board OF trustees and
threw himself heart and soul into
this labor of love which appealed to
him as few enterprises had done in
his whole eventful career. Through
the wish OF Jefferson, Charlottesville.
his home town" in the foothills OF the
Blue Ridge mountains, was chosen as
the site for the new university and i'm
1917 the cornerstone Of the first build.
ing. Central college, was laid, there
being present on this occasion not
only Thomas Jefferson, but also James
Madison and James Munroe, who
stand in history with Jefferson as
presidents of the United States.
Original Building Still Standing.
The original site of the university
was farm Of some two hundred
acres, picturesquely located In the