Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1896 — HONOR TO JEFFERSON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HONOR TO JEFFERSON

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS MEET AT HIS TOMB. .Natal Day of the Dead Statesman la Fittingly Celebrated Life and Work* of the DemocrVtio Party’s « Founder Portrayed by Orators. Democrats at Monticello. The 153 d anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s birth was fittingly observed at Monticello, Va., where he lived and died, by a gathering of a large number of prominent Democrats from all sections of the country. Ths distinguished guests included Vice-President Stevenson, Secretary Herbert, Postmaster General Wilson, Attorney General Harmon, ex-Gov. Russell of Massachusetts, Chauncey F. Black and Xiawrence Gardner, president and secretary, respectively, of the National Association of Democratic Clubs, and nearly two scope erf Senators and Representatives, besides a number of national committeemen. The party left Washington in a special train, arriving in Charlottesville about noon and proceeded at once "to Monticello, about two miles distant from the town, where they were welcomed by Mr. Jefferson M. Levy, the present -Owner of the estate. The exercises commenced shortly after 2 o’clock, and upon the broad lawns were ■assembled several hundred people, who 'had come from the surrounding towns and farms. Three addresses were delivered—the first by Chauncey F. ‘Black, the secInd by ex-Gov. Russell and the third by Senator Daniel of Virginia. The greatest interest attached to the speeches of the two latter, Mr. Russell 'Standing on a “sound money” platform and Senator Daniel combating his position with a free

(silver argument. The party returned to Washington at night Ex-Gov. Russell concluded an eloquent address upon the career of Jefferson with the following reference to the money question: “We are in the midst of earnest agitation over our monetary standard. The agitation crosses party lines and tends to geographical 'division. It involves the welfare of our country and demands explicit and courageous treatment. To Jefferson it could never be an issue between Colorado and Wall street, or between a

debtor and a creditor class. His broad democracy abhorred geographical and class division. With tnlbpatriotism he would ask where lie the honor and credit of our common country, where rest the Interests of our whole people? For one I believe that our country’s honor demands scrupulous fidelity to her plighted word, honest payment of her obligations and that the people’s interest is best served by •strictly upholding here the monetary standard of civilized world. The secret of Jefferson’s power and leadership was his steadfastness to principle. With €rm belief in popular government, he trusted the intelligence of the people to correct passing errors and to establish safe and sound policies. Well has it been •said of him that he never in any stress ■deserted or even temporarily disavowed his principles. He never lost faith or courage. He did not trim his sails to every flaw on the political ocean, but waited through the longest unpromising days, with a noble patience, the powerful and ■steady gale which he was convinced would in time carry the nation upon her true course.” t

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

JEFFERSON’S HOME.