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.Tkfkeusok as a Statesman.
u-
crnmcnt at liome. As Secretary of State
under Washington, perhaps tlicru Is no
man who has tilled the ofllco with more
ability and energy. As a diplomatist, he
lias never been excelled by any man in
the same position. His ofllclal messages
to our foreign ministers show a deepness
of thought aud earnestness of purpose un
equaled by any of his successors.
Such had been the course- of Jefferson,
when called to the Presidential chair. In
this pnrt of his public service he excelled
even the expectation of his friends. Al
though opposed by a large minority on
his first election, he was hailed with joy
as President by most of his enemies after
the choice was announced. So pleased
were the people with his first administra
tion that a second was forced upon hiin.
Never has there been so nenra unanimous
voice for a President since the days of
Washington, as upon the second election
of Jefferson. The impartiality of his first
administration gained the favor of the
most of his once bitterest opponents. The
success of his second administration ex
cecded even the first in promoting the
happiness and prosperity of the Union.
Such was the main political career of
one of America's greatest statesmen.
Jefferson was mostly a self-made man.
Experience was his great teacher. His
political sentiments, though now some
what out of date, were in thai time do
rived from pure motives. He established
a party tiof has marked the course and
destiny of our nation for years to come.
A party that may hove lost moro or less
of its original character, hut one that has
never been completely overthrown by the
Ultra-Federalist principle. As a cham
pion of liberal institutions, and the full
rights of a free people, ho naturally ad.
hored to the institutions of his Southern
State ; yet, from the effects of a common
struggle, he bore no special prejudice to
any one part of the Union. All received
his services alike. When elevated to the
highest honor which his country could
bestow upon him, he was not ignoraut of
the wants of the American people. An
experience of thirty years in the service
of his country, at homo aud abroad, en
larged his views of constitutional govern
ment. The political institutions of Eu
rope and their woi kings wero studied
with grcatdilligcnce. Whatever he found
useful for his country was carefully not
ed and preserved for future use. Thus
by the blending of foreign customs with
those of his own country he was enabled
to pursue an unprejudiced course in his
administration. As the chief executive
ho was always at his post of duty. His
executive abilities received the approval
of the whole nation. He was always
prompt in his action, and sincere in his
commands, although respectful to whom
they were addressed. In his decision he
was always firm, yet never given until the
subject in hand had been thoroughly in
vestigated. Whatever was most needed by
the people, ho was one of the first to dis
cover, and give it his approval Whatev
er he suggested to Congress was acted up
on with the greatest deliberation. What
ever needed reform, ho was its greatest ad
vocate. What was left unfinished by Washing
ton that Jefferson did not complete V
What error was made by Adams that Jef
ferson did not correct? Every quality so
necessary to success was distinctly marked
in him. In discussions he did not display
that eloquence which leads men without
consulting their judgment; his language
was elegant, concise, and always ad
dressed to the generosity of man. A
judgment, guided by sincerity and truth,
alone carried conviction to the hearts of
his hcaivra. Al waj s an advocate of peace,
and a preservir of the happiness of the
people, he gained their warmest sympa
thy. As a worker for the progress of sci
ence and the enlightenment of the people
he was rarely excelled. As a promoter
of industry and economy his name will
long be remembered. Never influenced
by selfish motives, he ever remained firm
in the practice of justice and truth.
