e.

Mr. Jefferson formed the governmental machinery in strict accordance
with this principle. As many measures are necessary for one portion
of a community and not for another, he insisted that local affairs
should be placed in the hands of local authorities. The integrity of
his system depends not only upon the limitation of the governing
power, in a general sense, but as well upon the division and
dispersion of it.

The principal exception which Jefferson made was in respect of
education. But, according to his view, this can hardly be regarded
as an exception. The general safety depends so directly upon that
recognition of mutual rights which is not to be found except among
intelligent men, that he advised the establishment, not only of
common schools, but likewise of colleges and schools of Art.

To those who objected, that this system would limit the action and
decrease the splendor of a nation, Jefferson replied, that its
effects were quite the reverse. In proportion as a government
assumes the duties which ought to be performed by the citizen, it
acts as a check upon individual and national development. Under a
despotism, culture must be confined to a few, nor can there be much
variety of effort and production. Under a government which is
confined to its proper field, the talents of each man may be freely
used, and he will not be forced into relations for which he is
unsuited. The absurd prejudice, that public employment is the most
honorable, will pass away. The man of letters and the man of science,
the poet, the artist, and the inventor, the financier, the navigator,
the merchant, every one who performs beneficial service and displays
great qualities, will be rewarded. Every one who is conscious that
he possesses such qualities will be stimulated to strive for that
reward. This universal action will give birth to all the things which
adorn a state. Social disturbances will excite investigation, and
evils which governments have never been able to reach may be removed.
Competition will make the accumulation of large estates difficult,
property will be equalized, but no motive to effort destroyed.
Science will be encouraged. Every day will add to the number of
those contrivances which facilitate labor, increase production,
lessen distance, and raise man from the degradation of an existence
wholly occupied with providing for his physical wants. Under these
elastic laws, religion, philanthropy, art, learning, th