Paul Cooney
Mr. DeCarlo
AP American
October 10, 2006

LAD 7- Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address

Jefferson was very excited, and very humbled, to be taking the position of the President of the United States. After some thought about the task that lay before him, he realized that doing his job would depend on the use of the Constitution, which would provide him with the “resources of wisdom, of virtue, and of zeal on which to rely under all difficulties.” Going along with Washington’s farewell address, Jefferson states that if there is “political intolerance,” then little had been achieved from the days of religious intolerance. To help with the process of political tolerance, he offers the words “difference of opinion is not a difference of principle,” in an attempt to convince people to unite. He then continues on to talk about the principles of the United State’s government, the same principles he says his administration will adhere to. Jefferson speaks of the civil over the military authority, the preservation of the General Government, and the “encouragement of agriculture,” which he supported strongly. Towards the end of the address, Thomas Jefferson states that his duty will be to the people’s peace and prosperity, and will retire when ever they see fit.