Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-21
Jefferson, a Glorious, Intelligent
y Radical

Thomas Jefferson was the founder of the democratic
party. He was the author OF the declaration OF Ameri-
can independence. He had a vast deal TO do with the
placing OF the Bill OF Rights in the constitution Of
ishe United States. He was the author OF the Vr-
GINA statute OF religious liberty. He was an out
standing champion OF public school for the eduea-
zion Of all the people. He was the founder OF the
university OF Virginia. He was denounced by the
conservatives Of his age as an atheist and an enemy
pf God by many OF the c~lsricals OF his day. He was
bne OF the greatest presidents as well as the founder
OF the democratic party.
He was an -aristocrat to his ~fingertips, but he be-
feved In the aristocracy OF the brain and the demcc-
Sacy OF the soul. He Ia one Of the immoTtals OF the
world, and not alone Of the republic Of Washington.
In q radio address climaxing the nationwide BIRTH
hay anniversary celebration Of the author OF the
declaration Of American independence, DR.. Edwin A.
alderman, president Of the University Of Virginia,
pictured jefferson as a glorious. intelligent radical"
Read the words Of the university president, the one
Eounded by jefferson. and take the message home:
Thomas jefferson may be described as a world
Eorce. His name Is on the lips OF aspiration every
where moving men to gain freedom and teaching men
now to keep freedom when they have gained it. JET
Herson, in my judgement, was the first great inteili-
gent radical to appear in the political history OF this
country. Some people do not like the word radical,
hor It is associated in a menacing way in many minds.
But the word is a vigorous word, AND MEANS OF
EETTING AT II ROOT OF THINGS. Jefferson
was an intelligent radical and no other sort Of radi-
eaI ought to be allowed to exist"
Dr. Alderman recalled legislation sponsored by Jef-
Herson which he termed "the deadiiest blow ever de-
aivered against intolerance in America" and credited
aim. as father Of the University OF Virginia. with being
an more than one sense the father Of all the state
universities which play such an important part In the
Education OF the American democracy. There are men
parading as democrats today who would not recognize
jefferson fundamental OF democracy or a demo-
cratic principle II they met a tenet Of the Jeffer-
konian gospel Of government in the middle OF the
broad highway. There are men who call themselves
republicans who are as densely ignorant Of the Cos
mel Of Abraham Lincoln republicanism as South Sea
Islanders who have never come in contact with the
Forces or agencies OF q modern civilization.
Thomas Jefferson believed in religious liberty In ITS
hroadest sense. He was for religious liberty Tor all
mankind. not for all Christians. He was q mighty
champion of the education Of the masses. He be-
lieved IN honesty In government. He was ever Tor
the flag and the constitution and the Bill OF Rights
yes. the president Of that university the sage OF
Monticello founded, made the correct classification.
THE author Of the declaration Of American ~independ-
ence was "a glorious. intelligent radical" There are
no Thomas jefferson In the democratic wigwam to-
uay and there are no Abraham Lincclns in the inner
circles OF the republican party.