English grade 10
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read the speech.

excerpt from thomas jefferson’s first inaugural address

thomas jefferson delivered this speech on march 4, 1801. at that time, the two major political parties in the united states were the federalists and the republicans.

but every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. we have called by different names brethren of the same principle. we are all republicans, we are all federalists. if there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. i know, indeed, that some honest men fear that a republican government can not be strong, that this government is not strong enough; but would the honest patriot, in the full tide of successful experiment, abandon a government which has so far kept us free and firm on the theoretic and visionary fear that this government, the world’s best hope, may by possibility want energy to preserve itself? i trust not. i believe this, on the contrary, the strongest government on earth. i believe it the only one where every man, at the call of the law, would fly to the standard of the law, and would meet invasions of the public order as his own personal

let us, then, with courage and confidence pursue our own federal and republican principles, our attachment to union and representative still one thing more, fellow-citizens—a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. this is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.

part a

what does jefferson believe a good government does for its people?
a. it is protective of its people because the people give the government financial support and obedience.
b. it allows the citizens to figure everything out for themselves without interference.
c. it protects them from physical harm, but allows them economic freedom.
d. it encourages citizens to explore new fields in industry, farming, and education.

part b

how does jefferson use the language of the speech to enhance and support the viewpoint expressed in part a?
a. he incorporates allusions to the constitution and the declaration of independence, which describe what a good government owes to its people and what the people owe to the government.
b. he uses figurative language—“take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned”—to argue that the government should limit its financial demands on people.
c. he uses alliteration—“courage and confidence” to emphasize how confident he is that the american people can do anything, as long as the government doesn’t interfere.
d. he uses direct address, speaking to the “honest patriots” who are listening to him.

Called upon to undertake the duties of the first executive office of our country, I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow-citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look toward me, to declare a sincere consciousness that the task is above my talents, and that I approach it with those anxious and awful presentiments which the greatness of the charge and the weakness of my powers so justly inspire.  

During the contest of opinion through which we have passed the animation of discussions and of exertions has sometimes worn an aspect which might impose on strangers unused to think freely and to speak and to write what they think; but this being now decided by the voice of the nation, announced according to the rules of the Constitution, all will, of course, arrange themselves under the will of the law, and unite in common efforts for the common good. All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression. Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things. And let us reflect that, having banished from our land that religious intolerance under which mankind so long bled and suffered, we have yet gained little if we countenance a political intolerance as despotic, as wicked, and capable of as bitter and bloody persecutions. During the throes and convulsions of the ancient world, during the agonizing spasms of infuriated man, seeking through blood and slaughter his long-lost liberty, it was not wonderful that the agitation of the billows should reach even this distant and peaceful shore; that this should be more felt and feared by some and less by others, and should divide opinions as to measures of safety. But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle.  

They should be the creed of our political faith, the text of civic instruction, the touchstone by which to try the services of those we trust; and should we wander from them in moments of error or of alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety.  

I repair, then, fellow-citizens, to the post you have assigned me. With experience enough in subordinate offices to have seen the difficulties of this the greatest of all, I have learnt to expect that it will rarely fall to the lot of imperfect man to retire from this station with the reputation and the favor which bring him into it.  

hope this helps

A: A

B:  probably D I am not so sure about B so you might want to double check.

oral reading is important because then you may end up loving to read if you hate it now. i hope i .