HIS - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages... 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. ...
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 ...Download file to see next pagesRead More