New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-01

has already been mentioned, the pas
sion Of his old age, the founding OF the
University of Virginia.
What a list Of undisputed and eX-
traordinary achievements he thus
ignored. Besides these three, he was
the author Of "A Summary View of the
Rights of British America" subse-
I:ouentIy adopted by Edmund Burke and
published broadcast in England, with
the result that the name OF Thonnas
Jefferson decorated the list OF pro-
scrIbed in the first bill Of attainder.
This Summary View" was atterward
considered even more cogent ana COM
nrebensive than the Declaration.
Against a multitude of difhcultles'
somewhat of his own making, he Sc
cured the annexation of territorial
empire TO the nation his Declaration
had created-the state Of LOUISIANA
at the mouth Of the Mississippi, with
vast extent of territory on the west
bank of that river, stretching almost
10 the Canadian frontier, and' as TIC
believed at the time, on the east almost
70 Florida. AS a mere tyro in leglsla-
ton he secured, against Overwhelming
social pressure, the abolition ooth oi
entail and Of primogeDiture III MS
native colony. He served for year on
various diplomatic commissions in Eu-
rope. and for four years as Minister 10
France, during the turbulence OF the
Revolution; consulted not only private
~ but officially with the reYolutionlstS,
ord wont far beyond diplomatic usage
or propriety in manifesting his active
sympathy with them; served twice as
Governor of his native state, once as
Secretary Of State TO George WashihS-
ton, once as Vice-President Oh the
United States and twice as President
He made great contributions 10 the
plant life and 10 the agriculture OF the
new country. and imported for the pub
lie benefit high bred cattle and other
domestic animals. He issued the patent
for the cotton gin. and was almost the
first 10 grasp the enormous possibilities
which finally led 10 its making cotton
King,-to the temporary misfortune OF
Lancashire. and the honor forever OF her
splendid and/self- denying workingmen.
Although not strong In finance, he gave
shape in our system 10 one really
valuable financial contribution, the
decimal system. He created and led the
Democratic party, which ruled the
country, almost without a break. for
over half a century. He first taught
his countrymen their vast inheritance
fits capabilities and even its extent
from the Northwestern stretch revealed
in the Louisiana purchase 10 the yet
moro important and imperial region re-
vealed 10y the Lewis and Clarke eX-
pedition, which was absolutely his. In
its conception. in its organization, In
the choice Of the men 10 conduct II, and
In It's support.
Yet II was a sure instinct that led
the old man 10 the briefer record on
his tombstone. These three things were
all great historic acts, one OF them I'M
ouestionably Of the first magnitude
ALI absolutely disinterested, enormous!
valuable. uplifting humanity ana hdIih-
ing no one. Even his admirers must
admit that his political career was
cpeckared. his executive course many
times open to criticism that his modes
Of expressing convictions were ot'en
u.considered and eXtravagant' ana
ot,en amazingly Inconsistent, and his
acts as q politician frequently far below
the standard Of the philosophical writer
on Government. Nevertheless, the
achievements he thus ignored emoody
q marvellous career for the raw-boned'
red headed son of the AlbemarIe
! Countv farmer and land surveyor'--or
for any man, In any age. Yet great "S
,bav were they were not needed Tor
his tombstone record. Every entry on
that was Of Itself a sure title TO the
gratitude Of posterity; one OF them
certainly a sure title to Immortality.
Head Of Gold; Feet Of Clay.
Put ~ the figure I have been present
| ing as an honor to Wales has a head OF
gold lust as clearly It will he seen 10
have had feet OF clay. There Is no
tyranny like that Of a great idea.
when once honestly entertained by
canabIe and sincere man, II possesses
him II obsesses him, and may lead
or drive him anywhere. Mr.. Jefferson
| boneatIv believed In the inalienabie
right Of all men to life, liberty and
banniness. that governments were In
stituted among men TO secure these,
and that they derived their just powers
only from the present consent OF the
governed. He did not see that govern
ments were Just as distinctly insti-
tuted to preserve order and protect
men I'm their earnings, as well as their
| liberty, and that primarily every gov
eminent must rest upon force. Carry
| ing his own fascinating propositions 10
their limit, he thought the form Of gov
eminent should provide that the people
! could always and at once have their
way. subject to no hindrances or delay
/ for consideration. Whoever thought
that needed, was not to be trusted; he
WAS no friend to the liberties of the peo-
Die. Consequently, Mr.. Jefferson looked
coIdlv on the Constitution Of the United
| c,.t.s "a q systanl Of concerted checks