Name Class Date

The Jefferson Era Primary Source

Jefferson’s 1801 Inaugural

Address
ABOUT THE READING Thomas Jefferson VOCABULARY
was the first president to be inaugurated countenance approve of
in Washington, D.C. He gave his inaugural
deem think
address on March 4, 1801, in the Senate
Chamber. It was the only part of the Capitol persuasion belief
that was completed. The following excerpt is diffusion spread
from that speech. Jefferson had opposed the
sages wise people
Federalists for years. In this speech he spoke
about uniting the members of different parties. creed guiding principle

As you read note the principles that Jefferson

emphasizes.

Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart

and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse Let us try to get along with one
that harmony and affection without which liberty another and speak kindly to each
other. We must accept differences
and even life itself are but dreary things. And let in politics as well as in religion.
us reflect that, having banished from our land that
religious intolerance under which mankind so long
bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we
countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as
wicked, and capable of as bitter and bloody per-
secutions. . . Every difference of opinion is not a
difference of principle. We have called by different
names brethren of the same principle.
Don’t worry about people who
We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. If criticize the government. They are
there be any among us who would wish to dissolve reminders that differences of opin-
this Union or to change its republican form, let ion can be tolerated when reason
prevails.
them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety
why tolerate people that want to change gov:
with which error of opinion may be tolerated where
• different opinions just exist. they should exist alongside
reason is left free to combat it. I know, indeed, that
reason
some honest men fear that a republican govern-
• tolerance is an important step to maintaining unity
ment can not be strong, that this government is not
• let's restore peace and care/love in our society and
Source: The Avalon Project at Yale Law School: http://www.yale.edu/ conversations because without it, liberty and life are sad.
lawweb/avalon/presiden/inaug/jefinau1.htm
• remember the religious persecution? political persecution
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. can be just as bad
19 The Jefferson Era
Name
Jefferson’s 1801 Inaugural Address, continued
strong enough . . . I believe this, on the contrary, the
strongest government on Earth. 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. . .
You should understand what I deem the essential
principles of our government. . .
Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever
state or persuasion, religious or political; peace,
commerce, and honest friendship with all nations,
entangling alliances with none; the support of the
state governments in all their rights, . . . a well-
disciplined militia, our best reliance in peace and
for the first moments of war till regulars may relieve
them; . . . economy in the public expense, that labor
may be lightly burdened; the honest payment of our
debts and sacred preservation of the public faith;
encouragement of agriculture, and of commerce
as its handmaid; the diffusion of information . . .;
freedom of religion; freedom of the press, and free-
dom of person under the protection of the habeas
corpus, and trial by juries impartially selected.
These principles form the bright constellation
which has gone before us and guided our steps
through an age of revolution and reformation. The
wisdom of our sages and blood of our heroes have
been devoted to their attainment. They should be
the creed of our political faith.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Why does Jefferson urge people to tolerate those who want to change the
government?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Class Date
Primary Source
Our government is strong because
people defend the rule of law.
how Jefferson describes his approach to foreign policy:
• friends with all nations
• enemies with none
• good honest alliances
• be fair to everyone
• trading relations, good trade
• maintain peace
• following Washington: not really taking sides
Jefferson's belief about how gov should treat citizens:
• support states' rights
• strong justice/judicial system
• equal treatment (for men?)
• protect citizens' rights and freedoms (religion,
press, speech, protection of the person, etc.)
• spreading info and informing people
• strong military/army to protect citizens
• take care of economy and debts
• preserving public's trust in the gov
These ideals have been the coun-
try’s guiding stars.
20 The Jefferson Era
Name Class Date

Jefferson’s 1801 Inaugural Address, continued Primary Source

2. How does Jefferson describe his approach to foreign policy?

3. How does Jefferson believe the government should treat its citizens?

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

21 The Jefferson Era