The third proposition, that the sphere of government is limited and its action should be confined to that sphere, is the one to the illustration of which Mr. Jefferson specially devoted himself.  Upon his services in this respect rest his claims to consideration as a political philosopher.

It has been the custom to think that the government was the only source of honor; it is still looked upon as the source of the highest honor.  By barbarians the monarch is deified.  In many civilized countries of our own time kings are said to rule by special favor of the Deity; no one stands erect, no loud word is spoken in their presence; and, indeed, everywhere they are approached with a reverence so great that more could hardly be shown to God himself.  This homage is not given on account of eminent personal attributes.  These persons are well understood to be often mean in mind and meaner in morals.  The same feeling is shown towards other high officials.  To be in the public service is eagerly coveted; such employment attracts the finest minds, and is most munificently rewarded.  It is so in this country.  We are accustomed to confer upon official characters honors which we would refuse to a Shakspeare or a Newton.  Yet it is well known, that, while the comprehension and elucidation of the great laws which govern society are a labor which will task the strength of the strongest, in ordinary times affairs may be, and generally are, quite acceptably administered by men of no marked intellectual superiority.  It is not necessary to say that the sentiment must be wrong which leads us to such strange errors, —­which obliterates the broadest distinctions, and persuades us to give to feebleness and vice rewards which should be given to genius and virtue alone.

For the wisest purposes, the Creator has planted within us an instinctive disposition to revere the illustrious of our kind.  To win that admiration is the most powerful incentive to action,—­it is the ardent desire of passionate natures.  The sweet incense of popular applause is more delicious than wine to the senses of man.  Deservedly obtained, it heals every wound, and soothes all pain; nay, the mere hope of it will steel him against every danger, and sustain him amidst disease, penury, neglect, and oppression.  To bestow this reverence is a pleasure hardly less exquisite.  While we commune with the intellects and contemplate the virtues of the great, some portion of their exceeding light descends upon us, their aspiring spirits enter our breasts and raise us to higher levels.  But to yield our homage to those who do not deserve it is to pervert a pure and noble instinct.  We cannot worship the degraded, except by sinking to lower depths of degradation.