Note: Images of the original pages are available through Internet

parties decided upon Adams and Jefferson as their standard-bearers; the
electoral votes being counted, it was found that Adams stood first and
Jefferson next. Adams was therefore declared president and Jefferson,
according to existing law, vice-president. Then followed the alien and
sedition laws and the war demonstrations against France by the federal
party, which was objected to by the Republicans. The bearing of France
became so unendurable that Washington offered to take his place at the
head of the army. Finding all else of no avail, the Republicans resorted to
the State Arenas; the result was the 'Kentucky and Virginia resolutions of
'98,' the former of which was the work of Jefferson, the latter that of
Madison. As is well known these were the foundation, years after, of
Calhoun's Nullification Views. It was a principle of Jefferson, which was
never effectually settled, until civil war had rent the nation almost in twain.
Happily peace triumphed, and in the campaign that followed, the
Republicans were successful, Mr. Jefferson becoming president—Aaron
Burr vice-president. Jefferson's ascension to the presidency caused a
complete revolution in the politics of the country. The central idea around

---

which the party revolved was the diffusion of power among the people. To
this idea they would bend every question indiscriminately, whether it
related to a national bank, tariff, slavery, or taxes. It held that in the States
themselves rested the original authority, that in the government lay the
power only for acts of a general character. Jefferson, their first president,
now came to Washington.
President Washington came to the capitol with servants in livery, in a
magnificent carriage drawn by four cream-colored horses, Jefferson came
on horseback, hitching his horse to a post while he delivered a fifteen
minute address. He abolished the presidential levees, and concealed his
birthday to prevent its being celebrated. He even detested the word minister
prefixed to one's name, and eschewed breeches, wearing pantaloons. It was
during his administration that Louisiana was purchased, although,
according to his own theory, he had no constitutional right to do so, but the
great benefit derived from this purchase soon silenced all opposition.
It was during his administration that the piratical Barbary States were
cured of their insolence, and in his second term that Burr's trial occurred. At
the close of this second term he retired to private life to become the 'Sage of
Monticello.' He now turned his attention to the establishing of the
University of Virginia. He was a believer in the free development of the
human powers so far as was consistent with good government. He subjected
the constitution of the United States to a careful scrutiny governed by this
theory, and became convinced that the doctrine of State sovereignty was
right and he fought for it persistently when called to the head of the
government.
His inaugural address breathed that idea, but when Aaron Burr bearded
the authority of his government he began to realize the rottenness of such a
foundation, and when it came to the purchase of Louisiana, his doctrine had
to be stretched, and he finally became convinced, as he expressed it, that the
Government must show its teeth.
On July 4th, 1826, at a little past noon, he died, a few hours before his
political opponent, but fast friend, John Adams. How strange to think that
about that hour fifty years before they had each signed the declaration of the

---

freedom of the country which they had so ably served. The granite for his
monument lies unquarried nor is its erection needed. The Declaration of
Independence is a far greater monument than could be fashioned from brass
or stone.

---