Thomas Jefferson—— Inaugural Speech
JEFFERSON:
Friends and fellow citizens: I have been called to the position of chief executive of our country. I must tell you how honored and thankful I am. But I must tell you, too, of my fears.
Yes, I must tell you that the duties of your president are too much for any one man. However, I tell myself that I am not alone. When I see all your faces, I understand the wisdom of those who wrote our Constitution. For in you, the members of Congress, and in the judicial branch of our government, I know that I shall find the strength, the honesty, the courage that I shall need.
We have passed through a hard year of bitter struggle between two political parties. We have shown the world that in America all can speak, write, and think freely. The debate is over. The people have decided. Now is the time for all of us to unite for the good of all.
The majority of the people have won the contest. But we must always remember that there is a minority. True, the majority must rule. But the rule of the majority must be just. The rights of the minority are equal to the rights of the majority, and must be protected with equal laws.
Let us unite with hearts and minds. Let us have peace and love in our relations with each other. For without peace and love, liberty and life are sad things indeed. Let us remember that the religious freedom which we have in the United States is nothing if we do not have political freedom, if we permit men to be punished because they do not agree with the majority.
For hundreds of years in Europe, men have killed and have been killed in the name of liberty. It is not surprising, then, that even here -- in our peaceful land -- all cannot agree. But it is possible to have different ideas without forgetting our common wish.
We are all Republicans. We are all Federalists. Most of us love our country. Most of us want it to grow. There may be among us those who want to end the union of the states, or to end our republican government. Well then, let those men speak freely, without fear. They are wrong. But America is strong enough to let them say what they wish.
When men can think and speak freely, there is no danger to the nation. For those who do not agree with them also have the right to think and speak freely.
There are some honest Americans who are afraid that a republican government cannot be strong. But I ask these good men one question. Do they want us to destroy a government which has kept us strong and free for ten years? I hope not.
We have here in the United States the best and strongest government in the world. This is the only nation on the Earth whose citizens know that the government belongs to them.
Then there are some who say that men cannot govern themselves. What do they offer us instead? Government by kings? Are kings men, or are they angels? I will let history answer this question.
Let us keep our union and our government by the people through their elected representatives. We are very fortunate here in the New World.
Three-thousand miles of ocean separate us from the wars and the dictatorships of Europe. Here we do not suffer as the people of Europe do. Here we have a great and rich land, with room for a hundred, perhaps a thousand generations of Americans yet to be born.
We -- and the American children who will come after us -- all have equal rights. We honor a man not because of his father, but for what the man is. We do not care what religion a man follows. In this country, men practice religion in many ways. Yet all our religions teach honesty, truth, and the love of man. All worship one God who rules the universe, who wants men to be happy in life.
Yes, we are a fortunate people. What more do we need to make us happy?
We need one more thing, my fellow citizens: a wise government. A government that keeps men from injuring each other. A government that gives men freedom to live and work in peace as they wish, and does not take from them the fruit of their labor. That is good government.
In my short speech, I cannot tell you all the things that I believe our government should do, and should not do. But I will tell you what I believe to be the most important principles of our government. This is what I believe in:
The same and equal justice to all men no matter what their religion, their political beliefs, or their class. Peace, trade, and friendship with all nations, but alliances for war with no nations. Support of the rights of the state governments which are the best defenders of our republic. A strong central government under the Constitution to protect our peace at home and our safety in other parts of the world.
We must keep the right of the people to elect their representatives. This is the safe way to change governments that make mistakes. Without the right of election, we will have bloody revolution. In our election, the majority must rule. This is the life-blood of a republic. If the majority is not allowed to rule, then we will have dictatorship.
America should have a good volunteer army to protect us in peace and in the first days of war, until we use professional soldiers. But at all times, the civil officers of the government must be first over the military officers.
The rights of man will be of the highest importance in this government. Information, knowledge, and opinions must move easily and swiftly. We will support freedom of religion...freedom of the press...freedom of the person protected by the habeas corpus...and the right to trial by juries that are chosen fairly.
These are the freedoms that brought us through a revolution and that made this nation. Our wise men wrote these freedoms. Our heroes gave their lives for these freedoms. They are the stones on which our political philosophy must be built. If we make the mistake of forgetting them, let us return to them quickly. For only these rights of man can bring us peace, liberty, and safety.
Well then, my fellow citizens, I go to the position which you have given me. I am no George Washington. I cannot ask you to believe in me as you did in the man who led us through our revolution -- the man who will always be first in the love of our country. I ask only that you give me your support and your strength.
I know that I shall make mistakes. And, even when I am right, there will be men who will say that I am wrong. I ask you to forgive my mistakes which, I promise, will at least be honest mistakes. And I ask you to support me when I am right against the attacks of those who are wrong. Always, my purpose will be to strengthen the happiness and freedom of all Americans . . . those who do not agree with me, as well as those who do.
I need you. I go to my work as president of the United States, ready to leave that position when you and the American people decide that there is a better man for it. May the Power that leads the universe tell us what is best, and bring to you peace and happiness.
仔细读一下，可以看到他所坚持的理念——以下是谷歌翻译过来的
杰斐逊：
朋友和同胞们：我已经到了被称为我国行政长官的地位。我必须告诉你如何荣幸和感激我。但我必须告诉你，太，我的恐惧。
是的，我必须告诉你们，你们的总统的职责，不能有任何一个人了。不过，我告诉自己，我并不孤单。当我看到你的脸，我知道是谁写的那些智慧，我们的宪法。对于你，国会议员，并在我国政府的司法部门，我知道我会找到生活的勇气，诚实，勇气，我需要。
我们已经历了一个痛苦的两个政党之间的斗争艰难的一年。我们已经向世界表明，在美国所有能说，写，自由地思考。这场辩论已经结束。人民决定。现在是我们大家团结起来的时候所有人的利益。
在大多数人已经赢得了比赛。但是，我们必须永远记住，有少数。诚然，必须让多数人统治。但是，多数规则必须公正。少数人的权利是平等的多数人的权利，而且必须是平等的法律保护。
让我们团结民心。让我们在彼此的关系与和平与爱。因为没有和平与爱，自由和生命的东西实在是可悲。让我们记住，我们的宗教自由在美国已经是什么，如果我们没有政治自由，如果我们允许男人受到惩罚，因为他们不同意多数。
对于在欧洲，几百年来，人们已经杀死，并已在自由的名义杀害。这并不奇怪，那么，即使在这里 - 在我们这个和平的土地 - 都不会同意的。但它有可能有没有忘记我们共同的愿望不同的想法。
我们都是共和党人。我们都是联邦党人。我们大多数人爱我们的国家。我们都希望它增长。我们之间可能有那些谁想要结束的国家联盟，或结束我们的共和政府。那么，让那些人畅所欲言，而不必担心。他们错了。但美国是强大到足以让他们说出他们的愿望。
当人们可以自由地思考和说话，也没有对国家的危险。对于那些谁不同意他们也有权利去思考和自由发言。
有一些诚实的美国人谁害怕一个共和政府不能强大。但我要问这些好男人一个问题。难道他们想摧毁我们已经保存十年我们有充分的自由的政府？我希望不会。
我们这里有在美国，在世界上最好的和最坚强的政府。这是在地球上的公民知道政府是属于他们的唯一国家。
还有一些谁说，男人无法管理自己。他们为我们提供什么呢？政府在国王？是国王的人，或者是他们的天使？我将让历史来回答这个问题。
让我们继续由人民通过他们选出的代表，我们的联盟和我们的政府。我们很幸运在这里的新世界。
三万里大洋分开的战争和欧洲的独裁统治我们。在这里，我们不会因欧洲人民做。在这里，我们有一个伟大而丰富的土地，有房为一百岁，或许美国人千代尚未出生的。
我们 - 和美国的儿童会后我们谁 - 都享有平等权利。我们尊敬的人，因为他的父亲不是，但男人是什么。我们不在乎什么宗教的男子跟着。在这个国家，男人在很多方面实践的宗教。然而，所有我们的宗教教导诚实，真理和人的爱。所有崇拜一个神谁掌管着宇宙，谁想要的人，才能在人生幸福。
是的，我们是一个幸运的人。我们还需要什么更多让我们快乐？
我们需要一件事，我的同胞们：一个明智的政府。一个政府，可以防止相互伤害的人。一个政府，让男人自由地生活和工作，因为他们希望和平，并没有从他们把他们的劳动成果。这是个好政府。
在我简短的发言，我不能告诉你所有的事情，我相信我们的政府应该做什么，不该做什么。但我会告诉你我相信是我们政府最重要的原则。这是我的信条是：
相同的，平等的正义，所有的人不管他们的宗教，政治信仰，或他们的阶级。和平，贸易，和与所有国家友好，但是联盟对于任何国家的战争。支持该州政府这是我们共和国的最好的防守者的权利。一个强大的中央政府根据宪法，以保护我们的和平在家里和我们在世界其他地区的安全。
我们必须保持人民有权选出自己的代表。这是安全的方法来改变政府，使错误。如果没有选择的权利，我们将有流血的革命。在我们的选举，必须让多数人统治。这是生命的一个共和国的血。如果大多数是不允许的规则，那么我们将有专政。
美国应该有一个良好的保护志愿军在和平与战争的第一天我们，直到我们使用专业的士兵。但是，在任何时候，政府公务员人员必须首先对军队的军官。
人的权利将是在这个政府最重要的。信息，知识和意见都必须移动方便，迅速。我们将支持宗教自由，出版自由... ...人身保护令所保护的人...以及该被选择相当陪审团审判的权利自由。
这些都是通过自由，带来了一场革命，使得我们和这个国家。聪明的人说我们的这些自由。我们的英雄把这些自由的生活。他们是我们的政治理念上，必须建立石块。如果我们忘了他们的错误，让我们回到他们迅速。因为只有这些人的权利能够给我们带来和平，自由和安全。
那么，我的同胞们，我到你们所给予我的立场。我不是乔治华盛顿。我不能请你相信我，你在该名男子谁领导我们的革命，通过我们所做的 - 谁该名男子将永远在我们国家的初恋。我只要求你给我你的支持和你们的力量。
我知道我会犯错误。而且，即使当我的权利，将有男人谁都会说我错了。我请你原谅我的错误，而我的承诺，但至少是诚实的错误。我请你支持我，当我对那些谁是错的攻击的权利。往常一样，我的目的是加强对所有美国人的幸福和自由。 。 。那些谁不同意我的看法，以及那些谁做。
我需要你。我去工作，作为美国总统，准备离开那个位置，当您和美国人民决定，它有一个更好的人。五月的权力，导致宇宙告诉我们什么是最好的，给您带来和平和幸福。
Friends and fellow citizens: I have been called to the position of chief executive of our country. I must tell you how honored and thankful I am. But I must tell you, too, of my fears.
Yes, I must tell you that the duties of your president are too much for any one man. However, I tell myself that I am not alone. When I see all your faces, I understand the wisdom of those who wrote our Constitution. For in you, the members of Congress, and in the judicial branch of our government, I know that I shall find the strength, the honesty, the courage that I shall need.
We have passed through a hard year of bitter struggle between two political parties. We have shown the world that in America all can speak, write, and think freely. The debate is over. The people have decided. Now is the time for all of us to unite for the good of all.
The majority of the people have won the contest. But we must always remember that there is a minority. True, the majority must rule. But the rule of the majority must be just. The rights of the minority are equal to the rights of the majority, and must be protected with equal laws.
Let us unite with hearts and minds. Let us have peace and love in our relations with each other. For without peace and love, liberty and life are sad things indeed. Let us remember that the religious freedom which we have in the United States is nothing if we do not have political freedom, if we permit men to be punished because they do not agree with the majority.
For hundreds of years in Europe, men have killed and have been killed in the name of liberty. It is not surprising, then, that even here -- in our peaceful land -- all cannot agree. But it is possible to have different ideas without forgetting our common wish.
We are all Republicans. We are all Federalists. Most of us love our country. Most of us want it to grow. There may be among us those who want to end the union of the states, or to end our republican government. Well then, let those men speak freely, without fear. They are wrong. But America is strong enough to let them say what they wish.
When men can think and speak freely, there is no danger to the nation. For those who do not agree with them also have the right to think and speak freely.
There are some honest Americans who are afraid that a republican government cannot be strong. But I ask these good men one question. Do they want us to destroy a government which has kept us strong and free for ten years? I hope not.
We have here in the United States the best and strongest government in the world. This is the only nation on the Earth whose citizens know that the government belongs to them.
Then there are some who say that men cannot govern themselves. What do they offer us instead? Government by kings? Are kings men, or are they angels? I will let history answer this question.
Let us keep our union and our government by the people through their elected representatives. We are very fortunate here in the New World.
Three-thousand miles of ocean separate us from the wars and the dictatorships of Europe. Here we do not suffer as the people of Europe do. Here we have a great and rich land, with room for a hundred, perhaps a thousand generations of Americans yet to be born.
We -- and the American children who will come after us -- all have equal rights. We honor a man not because of his father, but for what the man is. We do not care what religion a man follows. In this country, men practice religion in many ways. Yet all our religions teach honesty, truth, and the love of man. All worship one God who rules the universe, who wants men to be happy in life.
Yes, we are a fortunate people. What more do we need to make us happy?
We need one more thing, my fellow citizens: a wise government. A government that keeps men from injuring each other. A government that gives men freedom to live and work in peace as they wish, and does not take from them the fruit of their labor. That is good government.
In my short speech, I cannot tell you all the things that I believe our government should do, and should not do. But I will tell you what I believe to be the most important principles of our government. This is what I believe in:
The same and equal justice to all men no matter what their religion, their political beliefs, or their class. Peace, trade, and friendship with all nations, but alliances for war with no nations. Support of the rights of the state governments which are the best defenders of our republic. A strong central government under the Constitution to protect our peace at home and our safety in other parts of the world.
We must keep the right of the people to elect their representatives. This is the safe way to change governments that make mistakes. Without the right of election, we will have bloody revolution. In our election, the majority must rule. This is the life-blood of a republic. If the majority is not allowed to rule, then we will have dictatorship.
America should have a good volunteer army to protect us in peace and in the first days of war, until we use professional soldiers. But at all times, the civil officers of the government must be first over the military officers.
The rights of man will be of the highest importance in this government. Information, knowledge, and opinions must move easily and swiftly. We will support freedom of religion...freedom of the press...freedom of the person protected by the habeas corpus...and the right to trial by juries that are chosen fairly.
These are the freedoms that brought us through a revolution and that made this nation. Our wise men wrote these freedoms. Our heroes gave their lives for these freedoms. They are the stones on which our political philosophy must be built. If we make the mistake of forgetting them, let us return to them quickly. For only these rights of man can bring us peace, liberty, and safety.
Well then, my fellow citizens, I go to the position which you have given me. I am no George Washington. I cannot ask you to believe in me as you did in the man who led us through our revolution -- the man who will always be first in the love of our country. I ask only that you give me your support and your strength.
I know that I shall make mistakes. And, even when I am right, there will be men who will say that I am wrong. I ask you to forgive my mistakes which, I promise, will at least be honest mistakes. And I ask you to support me when I am right against the attacks of those who are wrong. Always, my purpose will be to strengthen the happiness and freedom of all Americans . . . those who do not agree with me, as well as those who do.
I need you. I go to my work as president of the United States, ready to leave that position when you and the American people decide that there is a better man for it. May the Power that leads the universe tell us what is best, and bring to you peace and happiness.
仔细读一下，可以看到他所坚持的理念——以下是谷歌翻译过来的
杰斐逊：
朋友和同胞们：我已经到了被称为我国行政长官的地位。我必须告诉你如何荣幸和感激我。但我必须告诉你，太，我的恐惧。
是的，我必须告诉你们，你们的总统的职责，不能有任何一个人了。不过，我告诉自己，我并不孤单。当我看到你的脸，我知道是谁写的那些智慧，我们的宪法。对于你，国会议员，并在我国政府的司法部门，我知道我会找到生活的勇气，诚实，勇气，我需要。
我们已经历了一个痛苦的两个政党之间的斗争艰难的一年。我们已经向世界表明，在美国所有能说，写，自由地思考。这场辩论已经结束。人民决定。现在是我们大家团结起来的时候所有人的利益。
在大多数人已经赢得了比赛。但是，我们必须永远记住，有少数。诚然，必须让多数人统治。但是，多数规则必须公正。少数人的权利是平等的多数人的权利，而且必须是平等的法律保护。
让我们团结民心。让我们在彼此的关系与和平与爱。因为没有和平与爱，自由和生命的东西实在是可悲。让我们记住，我们的宗教自由在美国已经是什么，如果我们没有政治自由，如果我们允许男人受到惩罚，因为他们不同意多数。
对于在欧洲，几百年来，人们已经杀死，并已在自由的名义杀害。这并不奇怪，那么，即使在这里 - 在我们这个和平的土地 - 都不会同意的。但它有可能有没有忘记我们共同的愿望不同的想法。
我们都是共和党人。我们都是联邦党人。我们大多数人爱我们的国家。我们都希望它增长。我们之间可能有那些谁想要结束的国家联盟，或结束我们的共和政府。那么，让那些人畅所欲言，而不必担心。他们错了。但美国是强大到足以让他们说出他们的愿望。
当人们可以自由地思考和说话，也没有对国家的危险。对于那些谁不同意他们也有权利去思考和自由发言。
有一些诚实的美国人谁害怕一个共和政府不能强大。但我要问这些好男人一个问题。难道他们想摧毁我们已经保存十年我们有充分的自由的政府？我希望不会。
我们这里有在美国，在世界上最好的和最坚强的政府。这是在地球上的公民知道政府是属于他们的唯一国家。
还有一些谁说，男人无法管理自己。他们为我们提供什么呢？政府在国王？是国王的人，或者是他们的天使？我将让历史来回答这个问题。
让我们继续由人民通过他们选出的代表，我们的联盟和我们的政府。我们很幸运在这里的新世界。
三万里大洋分开的战争和欧洲的独裁统治我们。在这里，我们不会因欧洲人民做。在这里，我们有一个伟大而丰富的土地，有房为一百岁，或许美国人千代尚未出生的。
我们 - 和美国的儿童会后我们谁 - 都享有平等权利。我们尊敬的人，因为他的父亲不是，但男人是什么。我们不在乎什么宗教的男子跟着。在这个国家，男人在很多方面实践的宗教。然而，所有我们的宗教教导诚实，真理和人的爱。所有崇拜一个神谁掌管着宇宙，谁想要的人，才能在人生幸福。
是的，我们是一个幸运的人。我们还需要什么更多让我们快乐？
我们需要一件事，我的同胞们：一个明智的政府。一个政府，可以防止相互伤害的人。一个政府，让男人自由地生活和工作，因为他们希望和平，并没有从他们把他们的劳动成果。这是个好政府。
在我简短的发言，我不能告诉你所有的事情，我相信我们的政府应该做什么，不该做什么。但我会告诉你我相信是我们政府最重要的原则。这是我的信条是：
相同的，平等的正义，所有的人不管他们的宗教，政治信仰，或他们的阶级。和平，贸易，和与所有国家友好，但是联盟对于任何国家的战争。支持该州政府这是我们共和国的最好的防守者的权利。一个强大的中央政府根据宪法，以保护我们的和平在家里和我们在世界其他地区的安全。
我们必须保持人民有权选出自己的代表。这是安全的方法来改变政府，使错误。如果没有选择的权利，我们将有流血的革命。在我们的选举，必须让多数人统治。这是生命的一个共和国的血。如果大多数是不允许的规则，那么我们将有专政。
美国应该有一个良好的保护志愿军在和平与战争的第一天我们，直到我们使用专业的士兵。但是，在任何时候，政府公务员人员必须首先对军队的军官。
人的权利将是在这个政府最重要的。信息，知识和意见都必须移动方便，迅速。我们将支持宗教自由，出版自由... ...人身保护令所保护的人...以及该被选择相当陪审团审判的权利自由。
这些都是通过自由，带来了一场革命，使得我们和这个国家。聪明的人说我们的这些自由。我们的英雄把这些自由的生活。他们是我们的政治理念上，必须建立石块。如果我们忘了他们的错误，让我们回到他们迅速。因为只有这些人的权利能够给我们带来和平，自由和安全。
那么，我的同胞们，我到你们所给予我的立场。我不是乔治华盛顿。我不能请你相信我，你在该名男子谁领导我们的革命，通过我们所做的 - 谁该名男子将永远在我们国家的初恋。我只要求你给我你的支持和你们的力量。
我知道我会犯错误。而且，即使当我的权利，将有男人谁都会说我错了。我请你原谅我的错误，而我的承诺，但至少是诚实的错误。我请你支持我，当我对那些谁是错的攻击的权利。往常一样，我的目的是加强对所有美国人的幸福和自由。 。 。那些谁不同意我的看法，以及那些谁做。
我需要你。我去工作，作为美国总统，准备离开那个位置，当您和美国人民决定，它有一个更好的人。五月的权力，导致宇宙告诉我们什么是最好的，给您带来和平和幸福。
