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animating the immortal soul with the fire of purity that illuminates

tier. It was important because difficult to obtain supplies and was menaced with British and Indians. It was delicate because there existed strong animosities between the first inhabitants of that region and those from Western Virginia who claimed the territory occupied. Under these circumstances the appointment was a high compliment from the sagacious Washington. The happy results were a strong eulogy upon the wisdom of both. Gen. Irvine succeeded in reconciling the two contending factions—brought order out of confusion and restored harmony and good feeling among those who had long been at variance. This augmented his strength against the enemy and increased the confidence of the people in that entire section of country. He was continued in that command until the war closed and the star spangled banner waved triumphantly over the United States of America.

In 1786 Gen. Irvine was elected to Congress and proved an efficient and valuable member. He was active and useful in the board to settle the accounts between the states and the general government. He was a member of the Pennsylvania convention that sanctioned the Federal Constitution. In 1796 he was one of the commissioners who were despatched to visit the whiskey boys and endeavor to bring them back to reason, duty and safety. When it became necessary to order out a military force to quell the insurrection Gen. Irvine was put in command of the Pennsylvania troops.

A short time after he rendered this last service in the tented field he removed to Philadelphia. He there received the appointment of Intendant of military stores which office was subsequently long and ably filled by his son Callender. He was also President of the Society of Cincinnati. Peacefully and calmly Gen. Irvine glided down the stream of time until the summer of 1804 when he closed his active and useful career and took his departure for “that country from whose bourne no traveller returns.” He had lived highly respected—his death was deeply mourned. His public and private reputation were untarnished—he performed all the duties of life nobly and fulfilled the great design of his creation.

THOMAS JEF FER SON.

GENUINE moral courage is a sterling virtue—the motive power of the true dignity of man. It invigorates the mind like a refreshing dew falling gently on the flowers of spring. It is a heavenly sparkanimating the immortal soul with the fire of purity that illuminates

the path of rectitude. It is an attribute that opposes all wrong and
propels its possessor right onward to the performance of all right.
Based on virtue and equity, it spurns vice in all its borrowed and de-
lusive forms. It courts no servile favors—fears no earthly scrutiny.
No flattery can seduce it—no eclat allure—no bribe purchase—no tyrant
awe-no misfortune bend—no intrigue corrupt—no adversity crush-no
tortures can subdue it. On its breastplate is inscribed in bold relievo-
Fiat justitia—ruat calum. [Let justice be done though the heavens
fall.] Without it, fame is ephemeral-renown transient. It is the saline
basis of a good name that gives enduring richness to its memory. It
is a pillar of light to revolving thought—the polar star that points to
duty, secures merit and leads to victory. It is the soul of reason—the
essence of wisdom—the crowning glory of mental power. It was this
that nerved the leaders of the American Revolution to noble and god-
like action.
In the front rank of this band of patriots stood Thomas Jefferson,
who was born at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia, on the 24th
of April 1743. His ancestors were among the early pioneers of the
Old Dominion and highly respectable. They were Republicans to the
core—in affluent circumstances and exercised an extensive and happy
influence.
Thomas was the son of Peter Jefferson, a man much esteemed in
public and private life. The liberal feelings imbibed from him by
this son were conspicuous at an early age. From his childhood the
mind of Thomas Jefferson assumed a high elevation took a broad
and expansive view of men and things.
He was educated at the college of William and Mary and was
always found at the head of his class. Untiring industry in the ex-
ploration of the fields of science marked his collegiate career. He
analyzed every subject he investigated, passing through the opening
avenues of literature with astonishing celerity. His mind became
enraptured with the history of classic Greece and republican Rome.
Improving upon the suggestions of liberal principles found in the clas-
sics, he early matured his political creed and opposed every kind of
government tinctured with the shadow of monarchy, hierarchy or
aristocracy.
After completing his collegiate course he commenced the study of
law under Chancellor Wythe, whose liberal views were calculated to
mature and strengthen those already preponderating in the mind of
Jefferson. With regard to the oppressions of the mother country—the
justice and necessity of resistance by the Colonies, their kindred hearts