Show jeffersons DAY just why our democratic friends should celebrate today as the anniversary of thomas jeff jefferson emon tj birth is not clear the beat biographers give the date as april 2 1743 and in this no reckoning is made of the eleven days added to the calendar by pope gregory au a LI event which occurred a long time before that bat that it is proper not only for far democrats Demo crata but for americans americana of all shades of political opinion to abs observe erve some day with which that great mans name to is associated to Is altogether proper his authorship of the immortal declaration alone entitling his memory to such consideration but apart from tills this he be was waa a patriot in the stormy days of the revolution a time when the paradoxical condition of rebels being the only patriots prevailed he was the right hand band of washington during the eight years presidential career of the father of his country and soon after became president himself of aristocratic birth aud and training ng much more so than his distinguished rival hamilton he nevertheless a aavo I 1 TO bated the cause and upheld the claims of the 14 common people and shelt sheltered ared them from the encroachments encroach ments sought to be imposed by half hearted support ers of a republican government who called themselves Federalist 1 disdaining we pomp and ceremony which ob obtained tined avid aad still prevail at royal courts jefferson throw threw down all barriers between the people and the executive and made the whit i house as aa accessible as any other in the land when inaugurated there was no glit gl ering pageant no showy ceremonial nothing even faintly suggestive of royalty roy aly or aristocracy while the dignity and consequence of the occasion were upheld as conspicuously and decidedly as aa kaough it were a matter involving hundreds ot 01 thousands of dollars expense instead of none at all worth naming riding to the executive mansion on horseback he dismounted tied the animal to the fence and walked in unattended the doors thereafter beien behag as wide open to the humble toller toiler as to the man of millions all comers were treated as citizens possessing equal rights until by their own act they forfeited such rights jefferson was strictly and truly a democrat nationally and politically though his party at that time went under the name of republican he was a great man from any point of view made one of the best beat of our presidents and his followers can do him no honor that his record does not justify but as an previously faug aug the demonstrations should not partake altogether of partisanship and not at all of exclusiveness |