opinions at times and bitterly, as is well known and evident. The impartial student will read Hamilton's interpretation of the Constitution in the Federalist papers and his personal opinions and views as well as those of Adams, and others on the perplexing questions of the times, in their own writings before giving a final verdict.

It is also true that Jefferson felt that he stood almost alone, the rank republican and reformer, trying to carry his favorite doctrine of natural rights to the doubtful eminence of making them overtop and include all other rights. His ideals were radical for the times and tendencies of which he writes. But somehow, they appealed to the popular and growing sentiment of the masses and ingratiated themselves into the hearts and confidences of the people. J. Wm. Parton says in his preface to his admirable life of Thomas Jefferson: "If Jefferson was wrong, America is wrong; if America is right, Jefferson was right." His genius more than that of any other single individual put the seal of republicanism on the nation's character and institutions and instilled the spirit of pure democracy into American life. He focused the democratic elements on definite objects and principles and became their great champion. At the same time he was unionist, legislator, skillful diplomat, publicist, great commoner, statesman and husbandman; castle-builder and idealist, and cunningly shrewd next to Franklin; at times he was scheming, temporizing, timid, cowardly, sensitive, morbidly jealous of his opponents and rivals and gloriously inconsistent, if you like. But his loyalty and integrity were never questioned. His faith was grounded in the common people. He believed that, "the world is governed

too much" and, "that government is best which governs least.”

"Recognition of what he endeavored to accomplish explains many of his apparent inconsistencies. The dominant principles of his creed were that all powers belong to the people, and that governments, constitutions, laws, precedent, and all other artificial clogs and "protections," are entitled to respect and obedience only as they fulfilled their limited function of aiding-not curtailing-the greatest freedom of the individual. For this reason he held that no power existed to bind the 'people or posterity, except by their own acts. For this reason he was the strict construer of the national constitution where he believed it destructive of personal freedom; and construed it liberally where it threatened to limit the development of the people. He was the defender of the state governments, for he regarded them as a necessary division for local self-government and as natural checks on the national power, and so a safeguard to the people. That he appealed to them in his resolutions of 1798, was because he believed the people for once unable to act for their own interest, and the theories of that paper are a radical and short-lived contradiction of his true beliefs. Because he believed the < national judiciary and the national bank to be opposed to the will of the people, he attacked them. Because he believed he was furthering the popular will, he interfered in the legislative department and changed officeholders. Because he wished them free to think and act, he favored separation from England, abolition of slavery, free lands, free education, freedom of religion, and the largest degree of local self-government. His methods and results were not always good. His character and conduct had many serious flaws. Yet in some

subtle way the people understood him, and forgave in him weaknesses and defects they have seldom condoned. And eventually this judgment will universally obtain, as the fact becomes clearer and clearer, that neither national independence, nor state sovereignty, with the national and party rancors that attach to them, were the controlling aim and attempt of his life; that no party or temporary advantage was the object of his endeavors, but that he fought for the ever enduring privilege of personal freedom."*

*Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Introduction p. XXI.—Paul Leicester Ford.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Thomas Jefferson was born in the foot-hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Shadwell in Albemarle County, Virginia, April 2, 1743.

He spent his entire life, except when away on official duties, on the plantation of his birth and here died July 4, 1826, aged 83 years.

His father, Peter Jefferson, was of Welsh descent and made his own way in the world by sheer force of character. He married Jane Randolph of Scotch descent, a daughter of one of the oldest and proudest of old Virginia families.

He became surveyor, held the most important county offices, was a man of the people, forceful, and sociable in business. He died Aug. 17, 1857, when Thomas was fourteen.

Thomas was the oldest son and inherited most of his father's property. He had been encouraged by his father in taking mach out-door exercise and life and was fond of shooting and fox hunting and became an expert horseman, even for a Virginian.

At the age of 19, he was graduated from William and Mary's College, Williamsburg, Va. He read law under Geo. Wythe, of Williamsburg, a man eminent as a lawyer and noted as having had as students in his law office James Madison, Patrick Henry, and John Marshall who afterwards became Secretary of State and Chief Justice of the United States.

At Williamsburg Jefferson associated with men much older than himself, but men of ability and of great liberality in matters of thought and religion. He inherited

from his father 1900 acres of land and forty or fifty slaves. During his few years practice of the law, before getting much into public life and affairs, he increased his land holdings to 5000 acres.

At the age of twenty-nine he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a charming young widow of twenty-three. On her father's death soon after the marriage she inherited 4000 acres together with one hundred thirty-five slaves. But in the ceremony Jefferson seems to have married considerable indebtedness also, for he was still paying off the old debts twenty years later.

He had been admitted to the Bar, and began the practice of law in 1767. Two years later he was elected to the House of Burgesses from his native County of Albemarle, and in seventeen-seventy-three he was re-elected. The next advance was to a seat in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, which he took in June two years He held his seat in that memorable body through the following winter and spring, took a deep interest in its deliberations and served on a number of important committees. According to Jefferson's account, on June 10th, 1776, John Adams, Dr. Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert E. Livingston and himself were appointed a committee to prepare a declaration of independence. The committee desired Jefferson to make the draft which he did and in the discharge of this trust prepared the most profound public document ever written-the Declaration of Independence. It was approved by the committee and reported by its illustrious author to Congress on Friday, June twenty-eighth.

Having been elected a third time to the Legislature of Virginia from his native County, he resigned his seat in Congress September second and took his seat in the Legislature early in October of the same eventful year.