Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address (Yale Library)
The Literary Depth of Jefferson’s “First Inaugural Address” by Judson DiVenere
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and founding father, served his presidential term from 1801 to 1809. A president’s first inaugural address sets the tone and the manner in which the president may perform their actions and duties. In Jefferson’s first inaugural address, he desired to bridge the gap between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, suppressing quarrels and maintaining peace in the United States.
Near the beginning of his speech, he says, “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.” That is synonymous with saying that we are all democrats and we are all republicans. Jefferson uses that to mention that every person is American, and should not be targeted or defined by their political party. All Americans should respect others’ opinions as that is what the first amendment states. A difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. Jefferson later states that he believes in “…the strongest government on earth.” That falls under American Exceptionalism, which is a belief that America is simply better than other nations. He mentions that America possesses land “…with room enough for our descendants to the thousandth and thousandth generation.” Jefferson lined up one of his goals, two years later being the Louisiana Purchase, to open up most of the west for settlers and their posterity. He also announces that generals are “…resulting not from birth, but from our actions and their sense of them.” He makes the comparison that the United States ranking system in the army is different from the British ranking system in the army in the sense that high-ranking U.S military officials are picked based on experience and knowledge, not birthright. As a closing to Jefferson’s tone-setting, first inaugural address, he says “…I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make.” This references the Constitution and criticizes monarchies in the sense that the power for the presidency in the United States is in the hands of the people.
“Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address” by Bridget Durham
“Thomas Jeffersons First Inaugural Address,” was written by Jefferson to give the people an idea of what he wants to happen under his administration. Jefferson starts the address with, “humble myself before the magnitude of the undertaking,” to show that the job of being president is bigger than him and he does not know everything. Jefferson will work with congress to make a more unified people; he is also very honored that he has been chosen, by the people, for president. He “looks with encouragement for that guidance and support which may enable us to steer with safety the vessel in which we are all embarked amidst the conflicting elements of a troubled world.” Incredibly early on in his administration he is issuing a sense of unity and stating that he is for, not above the American people. Jefferson then switches his word choice to include very descriptive language. Such as, “rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful land, traversing all the seas with the rich productions of their industry.” At the time Jefferson was first sworn into office, it was the beginnings of Romanticism; his diction reflects this change in writing. “Wide and fruitful land,” is a perfect example of the embellishment that happened during the change in literary styles.
Jefferson then goes on to say, “all will, of course, arrange themselves under the will of the law and unite in common efforts for the common good.” He is commanding the American people in a way because he changes his word choice from “I hope” to “all will.” Jeffersons use of “of course,” shows confidence in the American people; he also tells the people that it is common sense for people to arrange themselves for the betterment of everyone. Despite being a deist, Jefferson uses a small amount of religious language to tie in spirituality but not a copious amount. Jefferson believes that “will of the majority is in all cases to prevail… the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.” Jefferson is certain in stating that all people should have the same unalienable rights, but the will of the majority should prevail over a minority.
“Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things.” Jefferson points out what Americans came over to the New World for, religious freedom; Americans refused to tolerate religious persecution so, why should they tolerate political persecution? Liberty should prevail in all cases which will present itself as social harmony. He then has a major tone switch from dread to optimism. “Different names brethren of the same principle call us. We are all Republicans; we are all Federalists.” All Americans are united under one cause so the belief that Federalists are different from Republicans is pointless. America is one nation, under God.
What makes Jefferson a successful writer is that he knows his audience and is aware of the fear some people are facing along with the thought that leaders will abandon democracy. He attempts to clear this fear by saying, “but would the honest patriot, in the full tide of successful experiment, abandon a government which has kept us free and firm?” Jefferson is telling his fellow citizens that he believes in the will of the men in charge of the government, so they should also. He switches his rhetoric to “I” to show that he believes in the American people and this government. Furthering this belief he states, “I believe it the only one 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.” Jefferson argues that people need to better themselves for the betterment of the country; he believes that everyone should hold themselves to the standards of the law and apply them in everyday life.
Jefferson then mentions a major point, “it is often said that men cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him?” People are easily corrupted by power and, in most cases, unable to hold themselves accountable. Due to this, Jefferson argues what the rationale behind having one corrupted man rule a whole nation is; he asks, “have we found angels in the forms of kings themselves?” Monarchy in England is not perfect, but they are supposed to be chosen by God. Jefferson states that if men are unable to govern themselves then what gives them the ability to govern others? The only option then would be to leave a group of people with no laws, which will devolve into chaos and is a terrible idea. He is showing the people that they need a strong central government with checks and balances because humans are so easily corrupted. If they do not have a strong central government, then they are the same as the British government.
Jefferson believes he knows how to create a prosperous American people. He believes this can be accomplished by, “acknowledging and adoring an overruling Providence, which by all its dispensations proves that it delights in the happiness of man here and his greatest happiness hereafter– which more is necessary to make us a happy and prosperous people?” The American people need to accept a strong central government if they want to be happy and sustain their American dream. The government’s only role is to keep people from injuring each other but other than that, they are free to do as they please. Jefferson’s goal is, “equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Jefferson’s end goal is to make a strong central government that does not discriminate against anyone; to create a happy unified people that are proud to be Americans.
Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Portfolio by Sophia Gamboa
Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father and one of the principal authors of the Declaration of Independence. He fought for equality and, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for all. Jefferson became president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. His first inaugural address expressed different themes of American Exceptionalism and how we are all Americans who must stay unified.
Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural address states how the United States is all together, “But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.” Jefferson wants us to understand the idea that we are all equal in his eyes, no matter what our political beliefs may be. Along with this, Jefferson wants us to understand the dangers of factions and his plan to turn it all around. Jefferson also expresses the significant theme of American Exceptionalism, “Government is not strong enough; but would the honest patriot in the full tide of successful experiment, abandon a government which has so far kept us free and firm on the theoretic and visionary fear that this Government, the world’s best hope, may by possibility want energy to preserve itself? I trust not. I believe it the only one 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.” Thomas Jefferson believes in the country standing for our nation, America. He also continuously expresses the theme of American Exceptionalism by expressing how America is physically across the other side of the ocean and separate from other nations, “Kindly separated by nature and a wide ocean from the exterminating havoc of one quarter of the globe; too high-minded to endure the degradations of the others; possessing a chosen country with room enough for our descendants to the thousandth and thousandth generation.” Jefferson is making it known that America has more room to expand and develop, along with room for our descendants to grow in the nation we created.
Thomas Jefferson also expresses his American Dream while stating, “acknowledging and adoring an overruling Providence, which by all its dispensations proves that it delights in the happiness of man here and his greater happiness hereafter– with all these blessings, what more is necessary to make us a happy and a prosperous people? Still one more thing fellow-citizens– a wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.” In this statement, Jefferson is explaining how the government should be and how its citizens should act in response. He goes into a further explanation by describing respect and how the American people are free to do whatever they want, while supporting the government, agreeing with Washington’s farewell address to the nation.
Jefferson’s first inaugural ended with more humane, humble rhetoric. He expresses that since he is president, he will make mistakes and is not perfect, “When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground. I ask your indulgence for my own errors, which will never be intentional, and your support against the errors of others, who may condemn what they would not if seen in all its parts.” Jefferson expresses his sincerity by saying that he holds the country’s best interest at heart, “The approbation implied by your suffrage is a great consolation to me for the past, and my future solicitude will be to retain the good opinions of those who have bestowed it in advance, to conciliate that of others by doing them all the good in my power, and to be instrumental to the happiness and freedom of all.” His final statement ends, once again, with the theme of American Exceptionalism, “Relying, then, on the patronage of your good will, I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice is in your power to make. And 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.” This expresses American Exceptionalism because it shows how America was founded on a set of self-governing principles and ideals.
Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural address convey many different themes including that of American Exceptionalism and expressing how all Americans should stay united. Although his speech was not extremely emotional, he still was able to exhibit emotions to share how much we wanted our nation to succeed and for him to be, “instrumental to the happiness and freedom of all.”
