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Exhibit Guide
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 Founding Generation > Thomas Jefferson As author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson gave ringing words to ideas about inalienable rights and the consent of the governed. After the Constitution was ratified, Jefferson became one of the leaders of the Democratic-Republican party and was elected the nation’s third president. Thoughts on the Constitution Jefferson was in France while the Constitution and Bill of Rights were written but supported James Madison with books and ideas about government and urged him to support the Bill of Rights. In a letter to Madison in December 1787, he expressed his displeasure that a bill of rights wasn’t included in the Constitution. One aspect of the Constitution that concerned Jefferson was presidential power. In regard to the presidency: “ …A bad edition of a Polish king. He may be reelected from four years to four years for life…Once in office, and possessing the military force of the union, without either the aid or check of a council, he would not easily be dethroned, even if the people could be induced to withdraw their votes from him. I wish that at the end of the four years, they made him ever ineligible a second time.” Although he identified himself as an anti-federalist, Jefferson supported the Constitution. Thoughts on the Bill of Rights and personal liberties Jefferson felt that a bill of rights to the Constitution is “what the people are entitled to against every government on earth.” Jefferson believed that religion was a personal matter that the government should not be involved in. He authored the Virginia Act for Religious Liberty, partially motivated by what he saw as past abuse by kings and aristocrats who used the church to dominate their people. He famously penned the phrase "wall of separation between church and state," in an 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist Association. This phrase has been used to explain the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment that says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” The Establishment Clause and how it is applied is still hotly debated today. Although a slave owner himself, Jefferson wanted to see slavery abolished. He was also a fierce advocate for freedom of the press. “The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” He did not like that the Constitutional Convention was held in secrecy and wrote the following to Adams from Paris: "I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members." Friends and Foes Jefferson and John Adams disagreed over how much power the President of the United States should have. He was concerned that too much presidential power would lead to another monarchy. Jefferson also feared that Adams would use the military to stay in power. Although they often had conflicting political views, Jefferson and Adams were friends and reportedly died on the same day. Jefferson and James Madison were also close friends. back to Founding Generation |
Thomas Jefferson exhibit Library of Congress “Wall of Separation” article Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson biography Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello Adams National Historic Site National Constitution Center |
