Thomas Jefferson and the Average Man.
[Extract from lecture of Dana C. Johnson on “Thomas Jefferson.”]
The epitaph on the monument of Thomas Jefferson, written by himself, reads thus:
HERE WAS BURIED
THOMAS JEFFERSON
AUTHOR OF
The Declaration of American Independence,
of the Statute of Virginia for Religious
Freedom and Father of
the University of
Virginia.
These three deeds he doubtless regarded as the greatest of his life. But the real greatness of Thomas Jefferson, and his value to his country, cannot be comprehended in any recital of specific deeds. His influence is of a broader scope and flows in a deeper current. He stood for a principle which to-day constitutes the very bulwark of this nation, and is not only her strength but her pride. That principle is the right of every citizen to have a part in the government of the nation—to direct its policy—to be responsible for its errors—to share in its triumphs.
Thomas Jefferson recognized the value and stood for the rights of the average man, in a time when those rights were in great jeopardy. In this he displayed his characteristic political foresight, for the average man is the backbone of the nation. He has achieved the triumphs of her past and holds the key to her future destiny.
In my mind’s eye I scan the history of our nation as one might view a panorama.
I see a company of stern-faced men land on the bleak New England shore and kneel in prayer upon a rocky beach. They have crossed a stormy ocean to engage in the hard task of establishing a colony in the New World, where they may worship God as they desire—the earnest, stalwart, heroic Pilgrim Fathers. But who are they? Average men.
Yonder is a company of men standing at Concord Bridge awaiting the advance of British regulars. They fight and some fall in the battle and by that sacrifice become immortal—the first martyrs to American liberty. Who are they? Volunteer soldiers—farmers and tradesmen—average men of the community.
I see a caravan of crude and picturesque conveyances wending their way across the Western plains—each wagon containing a family of pioneers—the advance-guard of civilization—enduring hardships and performing mighty labors of which we reap the benefits. Who are they? Average men and women.
Here are two armies drawn up in battle order—hundreds of thousands of young and valiant men; fighting for what they regard their rights and duties; suffering unspeakable privations and performing deeds of matchless valor—the army of the North and the army of the South—whose conflict demonstrated to the world the extraordinary resources of this nation, the exceptional qualities of the American soldier and the absolutely unconquerable strength of a united country. Who are these soldiers? Fathers and sons from farm and store and factory. Average men.
I see a half-dozen regiments charging a Cuban hillside to dislodge a fortified enemy—strong, alert, confident soldiers—their courage born of the consciousness that they are fighting for right and justice against wrong and oppression. Who are they? A strange conglomeration of militia men, regular army soldiers, nabobs from New York, rough riders from the plains—but all of them average men.
So through all the years of our nation’s history, in the hours of her peril and of her achievements, she has been saved from shame and has been crowned with glory by the deeds of her average men.
Great men have arisen from time to time to lead her armies into battle or to defend her principles of liberty and justice, but, after all, these leaders had been powerless and, indeed, impossible except for the rank and file—the host of average men, who followed them and put into effect their teaching; not as slaves, but as free men doing their duty as intellect and conscience had directed.
Who is it that will determine the future policy of this nation and write success or failure above her gates? Not her millionaires, nor her statesmen, nor her scholars, nor her soldiers, but the average men whose votes count millions in the aggregate and whose will is law.
Thomas Jefferson understood this and read the future with unerring mind. Therefore he made it his chief concern and his great political work to protect the rights and enlarge the privileges of the average man—the bone and sinew of the state.
HON. ALF TAYLOR,
One of the most eloquent and scholarly contributions to the intellectual menu of the coming season will be the new lecture of Hon. Alf Taylor, “If Columbus Should Wake.”
SAMUEL SIEGEL.
Samuel Siegel, the great mandolinist, who is known to more people than any other player of this instrument, is very popular throughout the South. He is the originator of the system used by the Siegel-Myers Correspondence School of Music, and is also exclusive mandolinist for the Edison, Victor and Columbia Phonograph Companies. Mr. Siegel will tour the South next season at the head of the Siegel-Meyer-Reed Concert Company.