LAD #9

Jefferson's First Inaugural Address Summary:

Jefferson opens by stating how grateful he is to be given the opportunity to govern a"rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful land." He sees "the honor, the happiness, and the hopes of [the] beloved country" and pledges to join with his fellow citizens to "steer with safety the vessel in which [they] are all embarked amidst the conflicting elements of a troubled world." He is slightly nervous to take on such a mighty task, but he is determined and willing to commit himself to his auspicious new country. Jefferson knows he is not ruling the country under his own rules and regulations. In true American fashion, he assures that he "shall find resources of wisdom, of virtue, and of zeal on which to rely under all difficulties" in the Constitution. 

He shifts then towards the nature of the American government under the Constitution and how it is "the strongest Government on Earth." Because Americans are granted so many civil liberties and personal freedoms, the government thrives and the power is truly in the hands of the people. Jefferson advocates for harmony and affection and wants all American citizens to "unite with one heart and one mind." He realizes that not all people will have the same mindsets and not everyone will agree all the time, but, regardless, the government will still thrive. Though some believe the government is too powerful and others believe it is not powerful enough, the government unites all people and has been successful in protecting the rights of its citizens.

    Jefferson continues to progress and boldly states that people cannot be "happy and prosperous" without a "wise and frugal Government." The freedoms that the American people enjoy would not be available at all without the solid political policies that so effectively protected the people's rights.

   As Jefferson enters his presidency, he wants to make certain to the people that he respects the Constitution and will abide by the rules it lays out for him. He aims to maintain an "honest friendship with all nations, [and] entangling alliances with none." One of Jefferson's main goals during his presidency was to keep peace with all countries and stay neutral in foreign affairs. He continues to list many of the rights of American citizens that had been awarded because of the "blood of [their] heroes" that fought for freedom. 

He concludes with the optimistic sentence, "...may that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your peace and prosperity."