LAD #9

In Jefferson's Inaugural Address, Jefferson begins by celebrating and thanking the people for electing him as president. He continues by stating how the country should continue to provide for the individual rights of the people through the Constitution. Jefferson additionally states how it is important to consider the opinions of the minority, even though they may not be reasonable. He believes that in this country, "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." In the next paragraph, Jefferson lists and emphasizes the parts that make the "sum of good government," such as practicing a "benign religion" that inculcates "honesty, truth, temperance, gratitude, and the love of man." Jefferson also lists the principles by which he will lead the country, such as treating his citizens with equality, "honest friendship with all nations," and avoiding alliances. Jefferson ends his inaugural address by acknowledging the fact that not all of his policies and ideas will be met with complete acceptance, but he asks for his citizens' "indulgence for [his] own errors."