Welcome one and all

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:48:29 -0500

'The Quotable Jefferson' is a new sister blog to The Jefferson Project, a collaborative forum in which writers and historians present multi-racial perspectives on various topics surrounding the complicated life and legacy of our nation’s third president. Unlike that concept, the vision behind this blog is very simple. Each week I will post a quote (or two) from T.J. on a variety of topics (hopefully timely). By year’s end I hope to have compiled a treasure trove of insights that people can refer to time and time again.

This novel idea was originally spawned by a wonderful blog called “Thomas Jefferson: If He Blogged” that has not been updated since last May. I contacted the author offering my services to no avail and have decided to create similar forum that will continue to grow throughout 2009 and hopefully beyond. All of the posts will be taken from the book “The Quotable Jefferson” edited by John P. Kaminski as it is officially sanctioned by The Thomas Jefferson Foundation and Monticello. Here's a taste:

ON GOVERNMENT

The essential principles of our Government... form the bright constellation which has gone before us and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages and blood of our heroes have been devoted to their attainment. 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.

-1st Inaugural Address, 1801

IN LIGHT OF THE PRESENT FINANCIAL CRISIS, READ WHAT JEFFERSON SAID IN 1802:

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.

-Letter to Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin

The "Quotable" Jefferson: In his own words...

Welcome one and all