Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1912-04-13
PEN nIGHTER
THAN SWORD
That Was Text of jefferson
Memorial Grafton by
Hon. ]. II. Crist
GOVERNOR MCDONALD SPEAKS
Admonishes Members of Legis
lature to Follow Their
Own Mind.

rather sparsely attended public
meeting was held last evening in the
Hall of Representative to commemo-
rate the 18th anniversary of the birth
Of Thomas Jefferson. The inclement
weather, and perhaps, the fact that
the celebration was under partisan
! auspices, seemed to have kept many
away who should have attended. How,
in view. of the known facts of history
and of biography, as they were Sc,
forth last evening, the Democrats can
lay exclusive claim to Thomas Jeffer-
SON. is somewhat of puzzle. Jeffer-
son was portrayed as the first aboll-
zionist and certainly, the southern
Democrats at least, will not assert that
this stamps him as the Father of
Democracy; he declared in no uncer-
tain tones that all men, and that in
cludes negroes, are born equal: that
al men. and that again includes ne
groes, should have the same inalien-
able rights, including the franchise;
that all men, again including negroes.
should be governed only by their con-
sent; that all men, including negroes,
should have representation when it
comes to levying taxes. Thomas JEFF.
ferson was also portrayed as the first
eXpansionist, as the founder of the
navy, as the creator of the then So
called Republican party" and
in so many other aspects that would
indicate he would have felt just as
much at home as partisan witt
Roosevelt. Cummis, LaFollette, Taft,
as with Harmon, Underwood, Wilson.
Bryan. The fact, is that Jefferson was
greater than any party and that the
entire nation can lay claim to his
greatness and not merely one parti-
cular party.
The exercises last evening were
marked by fitting simplicity. Presid-
ent Dunlavy, of the Santa Fe County
Democratic Club presided at first. He
introduced Governor Mcdonald, who
had been selected as chairman of
the meeting. Governor Mcdonald
made brief Grafton which made
deep impression on his hearers. He
pointed ont few salient facts in the
life of Jefferson and then drew les
sons from them for New Mexico and
especially the present Legislature. He
cOunseled each man to follow the die
tates Of his own conscience, of his
own mind, to stand boldly for what
he believes right and to stultify him
self at no mans behest. Tyrants may
crIsh the body, may take away mate
rial things, but they cannot subdue
the spirit that is true to itself. The
Governors remarks had the ring of
sincerity and earnestness, he rose to
real eloquence and he was warmly
applauded.
Hon. J. H. Crist followed with A
scholarly oration setting forth the life,
the achievements, the principles OF
the many-sided Thomas Jefferson, and
incidentally gave a glimpse of the
Titanic struggles that marked the
founding of the republic; the diff
ferences that even in those days exist
ed in political opinion; the viciousness
| with which press and orators de-
nounced men like Washington, Hamil-
ton, Jefferson, surprising even the
viciousness with which today's poll
| tical leaders are attacked by modern
muck-rakers Mr.. Crist, always an
interesting speaker, held his audience
spellbound, and there could have been
nc one, who left the hall of represen-
| tatiyes at the conclusion of the even
ing's exercises, who did not carry
| away with him clearer estimate OF
! Jefferson's life and of what he
wrought for the Republic.
|