LAD #7- Jefferson's Inaugural

Thomas Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address


In Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural address he addressed the issues of free speech, political disunity. He talked of freedom of speech and how minorities should have the same rights as everyone else. This is a direct reference to the Alien and Sedition acts. He talks about how political clashes must stop and that the nation must work together, thereby affirming Washington’s views, his saying “We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists” captures this perfectly. He also vaguely mentions his policy of Laissez-faire and how taxes and industry controls should stay low and flexible. In addition, Jefferson states his objectives as President and acknowledges the fact that he will probably come out of the office of President less popular than he came into it based on past experience. This was due to what he called an attempt at fixing the precidency.