Analysis of Jeffersons First Inauguration Address of 1801 - Essay Example

American Civilization to 1877: Analysis of Jefferson’s First Inauguration Address of 1801 Levy, Peter B., ed. “100 Key Documents in American Democracy.” The American Reader: From Columbus to today. Paul, M. New Angle York: Rand McNally & Company, 1958. Print. [The book captures a number key events that shaped the road toward modern day United States. The author has focused on some of the challenges and triumphs that the country went through in pursuit for a political directions. Some of the particular themes on which he focuses are legislation, equality, the rule of law and human rights. The author also captures some selected reactions by a section of the early American society on the decisions of the early executive office.] Wood, Gordon S. Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. [In this book, Wood analyzes some of the early themes in American history. He focuses on the birth of democracy in the aftermath of the ratification of the constitution. Wood analyzes competitive interests between the Federalists and Republicans. The inaugural of Thomas Jefferson and his speech is the critical component of this source as far as this paper is concerned.] In the immediate period after the Declaration of Independence, the United States faced many challenges in her political, social and economic spheres of life (Wood 34). This was particularly so given that it was a time when leaders were still searching for the best alternative solutions to issues pertinent to them. Some level of uncertainty and mistrust existed even in office of the President. There was constrained freedom of speech as well as the rights of foreign born amongst other things. Essentially, the people’s concerns were the interpretation of liberty. This paper will analyze US history in the Post-Jefferson era on under the thesis statement: it was Thomas Jefferson’s humility and boldness in his inauguration speech that laid the foundation for the making of the United States of America as just nation. In his speech, Jefferson observed that one of the most common reasons for feuding that posed a serious challenge was intolerance. He pointed out to an example of religious intolerance that “mankind had bled and suffered (Levy 75) under the yoke of intolerance. He highlighted his vision for the America they wanted. He cautioned that it would not be in the interest of the nation to have political intolerance, which he viewed as wicked and capable of deteriorating to the point of bloody persecutions. In this part, Jefferson was aware that sharp differences existed in the Democrat-Republican political interest. Therefore, he sought to remind them that as a nation that was just discovering itself, there was a need for unity in matters of national importance. He also pointed out to the need to make sure that that nobody would be victimized for expressing his/her political opinion on various matters. As Wood (45) observes, Jefferson also preempted a situation in which the United States would become diverse owing to values that will attract people to its peaceful shores. On this, he emphasized that the country has a responsibility to lead by example. He preempted a situation in which there would also be a majority and minority sides of opinions. Confirming the values of democracy, Jefferson emphasized in the First Inauguration speech the fundamental of human rights. He said, “...the minority possesses equal rights, which equal law must protect” (Levy 74). This way, Jefferson’s speech laid foundation for the principles of equality before the law under the United States constitution. It also discouraged discrimination of any sort whatsoever. Jefferson seemed to have a vision of a perfect state where individual liberty would allow them to follow the dictated of their free will not just within the context of the law, but also reasonably. In a way, Jefferson puts in that although the majority may pass a regulation and make something lawful, if reason does not approve of it as right that is not the best direction for the country (Levy 74). Jefferson also notes that although some people may perceive the Republican government as weak, they should understand that steering a nation should be a joint effort. He sees Republican and Federal principles as complementary to each other. He then argues that the pursuit for individual ambitions should not exceed the love for the Union (Levy 75). Probably the most interesting thing that has become a feature of American democracy is the power of the people. Jefferson says, “I ask your indulgence for my own errors” (Levy 77). One can deduce from this that it was also the vision of Thomas Jefferson that leadership has to be accountable to the people. The most important bit is that the masses should always take it upon itself to oversight the executive. They should assess whether it is delivering on its mandate as empowered by the constitution. Jefferson opts to lead by example and ask Americans to oversight his leadership. He displays an ideal picture of a leader who is not afraid be asked to account for his actions as may be necessary. During this time, it is important to note that the US was still setting its principles of governance. Consequently, the first inauguration speech served to inform later pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening the young Union. In fact, one may give credit to Jefferson for many of the current principles of governance and justice. His speech touches on sensitive matters such as leadership values. He outlines in what one would say that the making of just nations requires ethical leadership where there is “honesty, truth, temperance and gratitude” (Levy 75). He also emphasizes the need to ensure that the state does “justice to all men of whatever state of persuasion" (Levy 76). In what many saw as a benchmark for democracy, one Mrs. Samuel H. Smith also confirms in a letter to her sister on the power of the president’s speech to transform the country. She says that “the most amiable and worthy men” (Levy 139) had ascended to leadership. In conclusion, one can observe that the historic times when Jefferson rose to power were still characterized by uncertainties and mistrust. It was a period when the Union was still very young and previous differences in the competing ideological views threatened the Unity of the Union. Thomas Jefferson’s address depicted the state of the Union in two ways. First, it recognized the bad things that had been going on and rebuked them (Wood 89). He then proceeded to his vision for a just, peaceful, and prosperous United States where everyone would feel at home. This way, one may say that Jefferson’s inauguration speech laid foundation for the making of the United States of America as just nation. Works Cited Levy, Peter B., ed. “100 Key Documents in American Democracy.” The American Reader: From Columbus to today. Angle, Paul, M. New York: Rand McNally & Company, 1958. Print. Wood, Gordon S. Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Read More