Most likely irony. Paradise is usually instilled in peoples' minds as somewhere refreshing and heavenly, and the next couple of words say "ahead of them is an empty oil-covered beach" which clearly objects with the paradise statement.
Jefferson does not include the right to vote as the "natural rights" of all men. He does say that they have the the right to life, liberty, happiness and equality.
The major reason American's declared war on Britain was because America wanted Freedom from Britain's rule and most importantly their TAXES!
All of these statements are correct.
