Once again we meet at the grave of Thomas Jefferson, a man whose genius no one would ever deny. Today is the Fourth of July; the day upon which we gather as Americans to celebrate the birth of our great nation, and what better setting could be imagined, than these tranquil surroundings, in which we now hold such as celebration. It would be inexcusable for us to fail, today, to pay homage to the life and Legacy of Thomas Jefferson; he who framed the document which serves as the birth announcement for America, and has changed the lives of every man and woman on the earth.
Jefferson felt that the government, which he helped create for the United States, was the strongest government on the earth because he believed in the people. He felt, that everyman and woman would rise to protect the standards and ideals America represents, while also treating the nations interest as if they were their own personal concerns.
There is a vast body of evidence that proves that throughout his long life Jefferson strove to live up to the principles he had set for America's citizens. We can see how his more than 16,000 letters which cover topics as complex as the structure of government down to the newest research on farming techniques attest to his concern for his country and its prosperity. However, I doubt that Jefferson saw himself as extraordinary. He most likely saw himself as no more than a man who pursued the use of reason in the hope of improving the natural state of man. In his own words written upon this tombstone Jefferson reflects on his legacy with modesty and yet also a sense of fulfillment in his belief in the pursuit of Enlightenment ideals.
First he says "Writer of the Declaration of Independence." It is this document by Jefferson that elevated the condition of man from servitude and injustice at the hands of their government to becoming the masters of their own destiny; based on the idea we are all granted the natural rights of Life, Liberty, and Happiness. Now much has been made of these three words, but for Jefferson, I believe, Happiness was the critical right. Jefferson felt that happiness would lead to stability among individual citizens and that such a condition would produce men who would do what was the best for the nation and society in general.
Jefferson's second self-identified legacy was the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. This document was also earth shaking in its implications; for it released or freed me from a tyranny which saw governmental interference in the fundamental right to think and believe as they will. Jefferson explains that governments are fallible and should be disqualified by their very nature from meddling with matters of opinion not only in religion, but in science and culture. Jefferson understood the tension that exist between private and public rights. Governments can make mistakes in policy and no one should go the inquisition over their beliefs or should they be obliged to admit error when they may later be found correct. The peoples power is underscored by their devotion to a government that ensures that their individual rights are upheld.
A story or comparison can be inserted here
I compared the lives of Galileo and Descartes
to illustrate how virtue and knowledge
can be stifled by interference from authority (government)
Finally Jefferson believed that it would be enlightened well educated Americans that would be best suited to determine both the nations and their own destiny. Jefferson had proposed a system of elementary, primary, and secondary education for Virginia. His university was the only portion of the system that the assembly granted him. Jefferson saw the university as the place were reason and the ideals of the Enlightenment would become ingrained within the culture; therefor producing the educated leadership for the new nation.
We have seen how Mr. Jefferson's actions lived up to his convictions and that his chosen legacy, as inscribed on his tomb, has in fact helped ensure the stability of America for over 200 years. How then do we ourselves go forward into the future with a similar spirit. How do we educate our current and future generations about Mr. Jefferson's legacy of promoting citizenship which strives for a balance between the Rights of the Citizen and the Coercive power of the Government in order to ensure domestic stability, the freedom our right to think contrary to the governments position, and the expansion of education?
First we must strive to inform the public and our leaders, that Jefferson saw America as a place were the dignity of man and the ability to advance personal liberty were the foremost objective. Secondly we must stress that , Jefferson's notion of happiness and virtue, built upon the sovereignty of the people is still achievable in 2012 if we will work together to solve the nations problem with the mind set that we all work to do what is right, within the law, for the common good, and that we refrain from intolerance of those who's belief's do not concur with our own. Thirdly we must ensure that Jefferson's vision of educational opportunity remains Strong and enshrined in our culture. In America we must have equality of opportunity as a principle rather than inequality in education.
Thomas Jefferson felt, foresaw and intently believed that natural rights were not surrendered in the drawing of social, economic, or cultural lines, and that any policy which produced inequality was contrary to the law of natural rights. He worked his entire life to ensure these ideas and left three major contributions to his cause. Let us remember that Thomas Jefferson viewed the nations problems as his own personal concern and sought out solutions based on tolerance and individual rights. Let the memory of this legacy inform our actions in the future as we grapple with the powerful issues which face the nation today. For if we are to continue to be the most powerful government in the world we must avoid policies which divide us and create destabilizing dissent, we must outlaw tyranny in whatever form for it must never be tolerated, even if done with good intention, and we must support education as the key to prosperity and stability. In this way we can walk in the footsteps of a giant in order to ensure that America is truly the "Land of Freedom".
Thank you for your patience and attention
God Bless Thomas Jefferson and God assist America to be the nation Jefferson believed we would become.
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