Sklv Remanoe.
133
Gifted with such abilities niul virtues,
Jefferson was undeniably a thorough
statesman. While an ardent worker in
political science, he none the less culti
vated the arts of the rural district. The
examples of his public life have been so
well followed, and so groat success has
been achieved, as not to need farther rec
commendation. Who, then, would hesi.
tatc to commend (o the American youtli
for their imitation that course of life pur
sued by Thomas Jefferson ? Who could
hesitate to follow his examples? Who
can justly condemn the examples of his
public career?
Those fine abilities and rare virtues will
ever bo admired by an intelligent people.
Although he did not. live long enough to
satisfy the desires of his friends, he out.
lived the hostilities of his enemies; and
at the moment he closed his mortal career
he occupied the very first place In the
hearts of a free people.
self.reliange.
The highest tribute of respect or honor
that wo can ascribe to tlie memory of Mo
ses, Pluto or Milton, is that tliey set nt
naught the teachings of men and of
books, and spoke not as other non sug
gestod or intimated, but spoke and wrote
as they themselves thought. Man is
prone, and indeed too willing, to set aside
the fruits of his own mind simplybecau.se
they are his own. But in every work of
genius, in every work of true worth, man
must ultimately and unreservedly rely up
on his oioi spontaneous impressions, with
good humored Inflexibility, though the
majority of voices may bo upon the
other side. Else, if ho wait till a later
time, perhaps tomorrow some one else
will have caught up and said in
a masterly and scholarly mtinner, precise
ly what he had thought and Colt nil the
time, but did not carry lo perfection be
causu of the opinions of others.
There is a certain stag'! in many per
sons' course of education, when they ar
rive at the conclusion that to envy is ig
norance, to copy imitate is a form of sul
cidc; and that they must rely wholly up.
on themselves for the true solution of the
enigma of their lives; that no true good
can come to them except through their
own immediate efforts. This is as it
should be, and It would be well If all
could come to this conclusion. But there
arc far too many exceptions.
Many endeavor to follow In the path of
certain illustrious nten, and although they
may learn much that Is beneficial, yet they
are seldom found among the eminent men
of the age.
This is an age of advancement, rapid,
sure and praiseworthy, and although it is
well to bear in mind the distructivo traits
of eminent men, yet it is ultimately re
quired that we proceed according to our
own convictions.
Nc law can be sacred to any one but
his own nature. That which is right is
with his nature. That which is wrong is
against it. What wo must do, is that
which concerns us, and not as every body
else dictates. We must follow out our
own minds, and then if we are wrong
we must suffer the consequences.
Suppose the government were to pass a
law requiring mo to steal a horse. I
would not stop to think what was the duty
due to my country, but I would first inquire
in my own mind, as to the duty to mj'sclf
If I refused to act as the law required, I
must receive the penalty and bcome a
martyr. If I did contrary to my ideas of
right, I would obey my country, but
would I be free from sin on that account?
Because it is the law and the opinion of
many, would I be justified in committ
ing the act?
Man is timid ; ho grows timid. He is no
longer upright, but is forever quoting
some ancient sage and predecessor, some
one whoso life has been successful;
and does not rely enough upon himself
James Walt was not a very smart or
learned man, yet he persevered in the time
of his own thought and genius, regardless
Mammiiii g
.H'JIillMLL'
