LAD #9

Jefferson's First Inaugural Address       



 

 

In his first inaugural address Jefferson starts by addressing the people and thanking them for the gift of being the leader of such a great country.  He says it's an honor to be a part of a rising nation although it is also a bit intimidating.  But then he reminds himself that he has the Constitution to help him make decisions and the national legislature to guide him through his presidency.  Next he begins to talk of the liberties that Americans have such as the write to free speech.  Leading him to explain that with the power the people must unite and move towards the common good.  Even if a majority has agreed on something though, it cannot interfere with the rights of the minority.  According to Jefferson, it is crucial that the Americans unite with their common ideals.  It seems as if as he goes on he is warning them not to become involved in political parties.  He believes that the American government is the best in the world, but he goes on to say that only time will tell if that is really true.  The United States is full of opportunities throughout a vast expanse of land that any person is lucky to be a part of.  With all of these blessings the only thing needed to improve lives is a prospering government that does not restrict the rights of it's people but also prevents them from hurting one another.

 

Jefferson promises to accomplish many goals during his presidency:

• Equality to all men
• Peace and commerce with foreign nations
• Support state governments and their decisions
• Preservation of the American government
• Importance of the right of election by the people
• Support decisions made by the majority
• Well-disciplined militia
• Supremacy of civil authority to military
• Improved economy
• Honest payment of debts
• Encouragement of agriculture
• Freedom of Religion
• Freedom of press
• Freedom of the person by Habeas Corpus

To finish he asks the American people to have at least some amount of confidence in him and to forgive him for the mistakes he makes along the way.  Thomas Jefferson announces he is ready to work for the people and to hopefully lead them to further peace and prosperity.