LAD #9: Jefferson's First Inaugural Address

Jefferson starts out his inaugural address by first accepting his role as president, although his modest skills are not fit for the task. He still tells the American people that he will virtuously lead the nation on the same principles as the Constitution as it continues its incredibly journey of progress. He then goes on to state that the Union is run by the legislators and himself on the grounds of sound principles, not ideologies. The ideas of the minority who believe the government to be weak will be protected as intolerance is the ground on which a government cannot stand. All have to adhere to the American principles of tolerance and those who battle against the republic will be fought with reason. He believes American to be the greatest government of all, "where every man, at the call of the law, would fly to the standard of the law, and would meet invasions of the public order as his own personal concern" and that abandoning the solid base republicanism has provided on the grounds of a theory that states it is not strong enough would be both foolish and preposterous. Then he goes on to describe the great pride and prosperity that is happening in America at that time that is paralleled nowhere else in the world, which each man has a right to practice in happiness within this tolerant nation. One more great stride can be achieved though, and that is the implementation of wise and helpful government that will protect the rights of the people, both personally and propertied. Then he says it is right for him to explain to them, whose rights he is protecting, what his values and expectations of government are. These include the keeping of justice for all men in their endeavors, maintaining peaceful relations abroad without alliances, protecting the rights of States to further the blockade against anti-republican tendencies, and to protect the vigor to the government provided by the pride of the Constitution. Also, he believes in strengthening the militia, supporting agriculture to stimulate the economy from the ground up, and to protect the rights of Americans guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. He concludes by asking for the American populace to support him through thick and thin, whether he missteps or others claim he has misstepped and by stating that he will work to his greatest extent until he is relieved of his duties or the peace and prosperity of the American people is compromised.