Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-10-11
"JEFFERsONIAN SIMPLICITY"


nomical way of living, and the fact
that this is war Of democracy against
antocracy has also vested the methods
of conducting the great struggle with
simplicity that has been likened to
the "Jertersonian' style.
However. this constantly recurring
phrase, "Jeffersonian simplicity" is
really very much overdone.
Those historians who hew to the
line admit that there was no such
thing, and consensus tof opinion
among them is that Jefferson never
made any such pretensions. Before
his marriage to a wealthy widow, he
lived within his means, though even
then he fraternized with men of con-
vivial habits and expensive tastes. He
devoted much of his life work to
building and adorning what is still one
of the finest residences in the United
States, and what at the time of his
death was the finest home in Virginia.
His library was the best of his time
in this country, worth thousands OF
dollars. His hospitality was greater
than any preceding or succeeding
president Even after his retirement
to Monticello, in the declining years
of his life, when harrassed by debts
he still maintained "open house" and
an elegant table. In one of his let
tiers he complained that whole carcass
OF a beef would last only two days
while a load of hay would disappear
in a night, so numerous were his
,, guests. He even brought French
chef from Paris and employed him
for years, which proves that he had
the palate and the appetite of an epi-
hcure Of course, there were no frills
no pomp and ceremony about Jeffer
son. He shocked the English by ap-
pearing in undress and receiving a
call from the British ambassador.
The story about him riding bareback
to his Inauguration has been classe,
by some with the Washington apple
tree incident. Some historians who
say it occurred, however, declare that
Jefferson did it for political reasons
as in all things in his official life he
sought to play to the popular vote. nc
advocated unlimited suffrage. Says
enc writer, "He pulled political fires
with as much adroitness and effect as
, Van Buren, in after times, so that the
| statesman was lost in the politician
Dr. John Lord, the historian, observes
Jefferson was more in sympathy with
New England ideas as to intellectual
Improvement of the people, than with
1 the Southern gentlemen with whom
he associated" DR.. Lord also says
Jefferson practically believed in the
aristocracy CT the mind, and gave his
preferences to men of learning ant
refinement. He was democrat only
in the recognition of the people as the
source of future political power"
Again, it is stated that while our
representative in France, Jefferson
lived in his customary style, I'm the
easy and profuse style Of Virginia
planters-giying few grand dinners
but dispensing generous hospital
| ity."
Jefferson has left great name for
/ giving shape to the institutions Of his
i country and for intense patriotism. He
! is justly celebrated for his successful
efforts in the cause of religious free
dom and education His impress and
influence is still upon our govern
ment. Next to Washington, perhaps,
he did more for the general advance
ment of his country's varied inter
ests than any man of his period But
simplicity" as the term is so fire.
quently applied nowadays, was for
eign to his politics and, largely, 20
his personal life.
The truth is, We are beginning to
live more simply than Jefferson ever