036 - Thomas Jefferson, Part 1: Inaugural Speech

THE MAKING OF A NATION #36 - ThomasJefferson, Part 1: Inaugural Speech

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Broadcast: Thursday, October 30, 2003

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ANNOUNCER:

THE MAKING OF A NATION -- a program inSpecial English.

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Thomas Jefferson, on March Fourth,Eighteen-Oh-One, walked to the Capitol to be inaugurated as the third presidentof the United States. As Jefferson entered the Capitol, there was the thunderof cannon. All the senators and representatives stood until Jefferson sat down.A few moments later, the newly-elected president rose and began to read hisinaugural speech. This is what Jefferson said:

JEFFERSON:

Friends and fellow citizens: I have beencalled to the position of chief executive of our country. I must tell you howhonored and thankful I am. But I must tell you, too, of my fears.

Yes, I must tell you that the duties ofyour president are too much for any one man. However, I tell myself that I amnot alone. When I see all your faces, I understand the wisdom of those whowrote our Constitution. For in you, the members of Congress, and in thejudicial branch of our government, I know that I shall find the strength, the honesty,the courage that I shall need.

We have passed through a hard year ofbitter struggle between two political parties. We have shown the world that inAmerica all can speak, write, and think freely. The debate is over. The peoplehave decided. Now is the time for all of us to unite for the good of all.

The majority of the people have won thecontest. But we must always remember that there is a minority. True, themajority must rule. But the rule of the majority must be just. The rights ofthe minority are equal to the rights of the majority, and must be protectedwith equal laws.

Let us unite with hearts and minds. Let ushave peace and love in our relations with each other. For without peace andlove, liberty and life are sad things indeed. Let us remember that thereligious freedom which we have in the United States is nothing if we do nothave political freedom, if we permit men to be punished because they do notagree with the majority.

For hundreds of years in Europe, men havekilled and have been killed in the name of liberty. It is not surprising, then,that even here -- in our peaceful land -- all cannot agree. But it is possibleto have different ideas without forgetting our common wish.

We are all Republicans. We are allFederalists. Most of us love our country. Most of us want it to grow. There maybe among us those who want to end the union of the states, or to end ourrepublican government. Well then, let those men speak freely, without fear.They are wrong. But America is strong enough to let them say what they wish.

When men can think and speak freely, thereis no danger to the nation. For those who do not agree with them also have theright to think and speak freely.

There are some honest Americans who areafraid that a republican government cannot be strong. But I ask these good menone question. Do they want us to destroy a government which has kept us strongand free for ten years? I hope not.

We have here in the United States the bestand strongest government in the world. This is the only nation on the Earth whosecitizens know that the government belongs to them.

Then there are some who say that men cannotgovern themselves. What do they offer us instead? Government by kings? Arekings men, or are they angels? I will let history answer this question.

Let us keep our union and our government bythe people through their elected representatives. We are very fortunate here inthe New World.

Three-thousand miles of ocean separate usfrom the wars and the dictatorships of Europe. Here we do not suffer as thepeople of Europe do. Here we have a great and rich land, with room for ahundred, perhaps a thousand generations of Americans yet to be born.

We -- and the American children who willcome after us -- all have equal rights. We honor a man not because of his father,but for what the man is. We do not care what religion a man follows. In thiscountry, men practice religion in many ways. Yet all our religions teachhonesty, truth, and the love of man. All worship one God who rules theuniverse, who wants men to be happy in life.

Yes, we are a fortunate people. What moredo we need to make us happy?

We need one more thing, my fellow citizens:a wise government. A government that keeps men from injuring each other. Agovernment that gives men freedom to live and work in peace as they wish, anddoes not take from them the fruit of their labor. That is good government.

In my short speech, I cannot tell you allthe things that I believe our government should do, and should not do. But Iwill tell you what I believe to be the most important principles of ourgovernment. This is what I believe in:

The same and equal justice to all men nomatter what their religion, their political beliefs, or their class. Peace,trade, and friendship with all nations, but alliances for war with no nations.Support of the rights of the state governments which are the best defenders ofour republic. A strong central government under the Constitution to protect ourpeace at home and our safety in other parts of the world.

We must keep the right of the people toelect their representatives. This is the safe way to change governments thatmake mistakes. Without the right of election, we will have bloody revolution.In our election, the majority must rule. This is the life-blood of a republic.If the majority is not allowed to rule, then we will have dictatorship.

America should have a good volunteer armyto protect us in peace and in the first days of war, until we use professionalsoldiers. But at all times, the civil officers of the government must be firstover the military officers.

The rights of man will be of the highestimportance in this government. Information, knowledge, and opinions must moveeasily and swiftly. We will support freedom of religion...freedom of thepress...freedom of the person protected by the habeas corpus...and the right totrial by juries that are chosen fairly.

These are the freedoms that brought usthrough a revolution and that made this nation. Our wise men wrote thesefreedoms. Our heroes gave their lives for these freedoms. They are the stoneson which our political philosophy must be built. If we make the mistake offorgetting them, let us return to them quickly. For only these rights of mancan bring us peace, liberty, and safety.

Well then, my fellow citizens, I go to theposition which you have given me. I am no George Washington. I cannot ask youto believe in me as you did in the man who led us through our revolution -- theman who will always be first in the love of our country. I ask only that yougive me your support and your strength.

I know that I shall make mistakes. And,even when I am right, there will be men who will say that I am wrong. I ask youto forgive my mistakes which, I promise, will at least be honest mistakes. AndI ask you to support me when I am right against the attacks of those who arewrong. Always, my purpose will be to strengthen the happiness and freedom ofall Americans . . . those who do not agree with me, as well as those who do.

I need you. I go to my work as president ofthe United States, ready to leave that position when you and the Americanpeople decide that there is a better man for it. May the Power that leads theuniverse tell us what is best, and bring to you peace and happiness.

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ANNOUNCER:

You have been listening to the SpecialEnglish program, THE MAKING OF A NATION. Thomas Jefferson's inaugural addresswas read by Harry Monroe. Our program was written by Harold Braverman.

THE MAKING OF A NATION can be heard on theVoice of America's Special English broadcasts on Thursdays.