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| Thomas Jefferson making a speech |
He thanks the people who supported him, saying he was humbled by the great task of leading such a powerful and awe-inspiring nation and that he wasn't good enough to be their president though he would try. He tells them he would despair if it weren't for the reliable guidance of the Constitution and of the legislators he addresses. Then he expresses his wish for them all to unite as one nation even though the will of the majority will prevail, saying it would be for the common good. He says that getting rid of religious intolerance wouldn't do much good if they got as politically bad ("capable of wicked and bloody persecutions") as they had been religiously, then that those who opposed the union of the nation and Republicanism should be tolerated as part of the minority. Answering those who think the government system wasn't strong enough, he stated his opinion that it was really the strongest government on earth, and that it was the only thing missing out of the people's lives.
He then lists things that he deemed the most important principles of the government, including equality and justice, friendship with all nations (but no alliances), rights for all state governments, listening to the cares of the majority in elections and otherwise, a good army and economy, freedom of religion, press, and person, and fair trials by jury. He emphasizes that they must be stuck to.
He tells the people again that he won't be a perfect president and asks for their support and forgiveness of his errors. He closes by saying he hopes he and the government will be able to improve the lives of all.
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