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SECOND
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
Thomas
Jefferson
Washington,
March 4, 1805
Proceeding, fellow citizens, to that qualification which
the constitution requires before my entrance on the charge
again conferred upon me, it is my duty to express the deep
sense I entertain of this new proof of confidence from my
fellow citizens at large, and the zeal with which it inspires
me so to conduct myself as may best satisfy their just expectations.
On taking this station on a former occasion, I declared
the principles on which I believed it my duty to administer
the affairs of our commonwealth. My conscience tells me
I have, on every occasion, acted up to that declaration,
according to its obvious import, and to the understanding
of every candid mind.
*
* * *
At home, fellow citizens, you best know whether we have
done well or ill. The suppression of unnecessary offices,
of useless establishments and expenses, enabled us to discontinue
our internal taxes. These covering our land with officers,
and opening our doors to their intrusions, had already begun
that process of domiciliary vexation which once entered,
is scarcely to be restrained from reaching successively
every article of produce and property. If among these taxes
some minor ones fell which had not been inconvenient, it
was because their amount would not have paid the officers
who collected them, and because, if they had any merit,
the state authorities might adopt them, instead of others
less approved.
*
* * *
In matters of religion, I have considered that its free
exercise is placed by the constitution independent of the
powers of the general government. I have therefore undertaken,
on no occasion, to prescribe the religious exercises suited
to it; but have left them, as the constitution found them,
under the direction and discipline of state or church authorities
acknowledged by the several religious societies.
*
* * *
Contemplating the union of sentiment now manifested so generally,
as auguring harmony and happiness to our future course,
I offer to our country sincere congratulations. With those,
too, not yet rallied to the same point, the disposition
to do so is gaining strength; facts are piercing through
the veil drawn over them; and our doubting brethren will
at length see, that the mass of their fellow citizens, with
whom they cannot yet resolve to act, as to principles and
measures, think as they think, and desire what they desire;
that our wish, as well as theirs, is, that the public efforts
may be directed honestly to the public good, that peace
be cultivated, civil and religious liberty unassailed, law
and order preserved; equality of rights maintained, and
that state of property, equal or unequal, which results
to every man from his own industry, or that of his fathers.
When satisfied of these views, it is not in human nature
that they should not approve and support them; in the meantime,
let us cherish them with patient affection; let us do them
justice, and more than justice, in all competitions of interest;
and we need not doubt that truth, reason, and their own
interests, will at length prevail, will gather them into
the fold of their country, and will complete their entire
union of opinion, which gives to a nation the blessing of
harmony, and the benefit of all its strength.
I shall now enter on the duties to which my fellow citizens
have again called me, and shall proceed in the spirit of
those principles which they have approved. I fear not that
any motives of interest may lead me astray; I am sensible
of no passion which could seduce me knowingly from the path
of justice; but the weaknesses of human nature, and the
limits of my own understanding, will produce errors of judgment
sometimes injurious to your interests. I shall need, therefore,
all the indulgence I have heretofore experienced--the want
of it will certainly not lessen with increasing years. I
shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands
we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old, from
their native land, and planted them in a country flowing
with all the necessaries and comforts of life; who has covered
our infancy with his providence, and our riper years with
his wisdom and power; and to whose goodness I ask you to
join with me in supplications, that he will so enlighten
the minds of your servants, guide their councils, and prosper
their measures, that whatsoever they do, shall result in
your good, and shall secure to you the peace, friendship,
and approbation of all nations.
Source:
Thomas Jefferson: Writings 518-23 (Merrill D. Peterson ed.,
1984).
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