Comments on: …all men are created equal… http://www.jeffersontoday.org/2009/01/15/all-men-are-created-equal/ Revolutionary Ideas, Contemporary Issues Thu, 09 Sep 2010 05:45:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Peter http://www.jeffersontoday.org/2009/01/15/all-men-are-created-equal/comment-page-1/#comment-4123 Peter Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:02:48 +0000 http://www.jeffersontoday.org/?p=27#comment-4123 I would agree with you whole-heartedly that Jefferson held mastery over the written word, as well as the bravest of intentions in writing the Declaration. The only point I was trying to make is that the words of the Declaration were (and still are) greater than their main author, the man that everyone attributes the Declaration's presence to, Jefferson. Whether his inconsistencies were grounded in human nature, or just the eigteenth-century mind, one thing is clear, Jefferson was inherently racist. He was quite explicit in his views (see Notes on the State of Virginia). That being said, I feel the words of the Declaration should be regarded in the context of America's legacy, not Jefferson's legacy. I would agree with you whole-heartedly that Jefferson held mastery over the written word, as well as the bravest of intentions in writing the Declaration. The only point I was trying to make is that the words of the Declaration were (and still are) greater than their main author, the man that everyone attributes the Declaration’s presence to, Jefferson.

Whether his inconsistencies were grounded in human nature, or just the eigteenth-century mind, one thing is clear, Jefferson was inherently racist. He was quite explicit in his views (see Notes on the State of Virginia). That being said, I feel the words of the Declaration should be regarded in the context of America’s legacy, not Jefferson’s legacy.

]]> By: JR http://www.jeffersontoday.org/2009/01/15/all-men-are-created-equal/comment-page-1/#comment-3367 JR Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:04:01 +0000 http://www.jeffersontoday.org/?p=27#comment-3367 Peter, I disagree strongly. The human animal -- even one so great as Jefferson -- is rarely if ever 100% consistent - especially when it comes to ideals vs. reality. One must also remember the context and nature of the Declaration in 18th century. Jefferson's intellect and soaring writing skills were an inseparable part of the power of the Declaration and its key, inspirational phrases. (Of course, I do not mean to deny the contributions of writers, thinkers from whom TJ and others read, borrowed ideas.) Peter, I disagree strongly. The human animal — even one so great as Jefferson — is rarely if ever 100% consistent - especially when it comes to ideals vs. reality. One must also remember the context and nature of the Declaration in 18th century. Jefferson’s intellect and soaring writing skills were an inseparable part of the power of the Declaration and its key, inspirational phrases. (Of course, I do not mean to deny the contributions of writers, thinkers from whom TJ and others read, borrowed ideas.)

]]> By: Peter http://www.jeffersontoday.org/2009/01/15/all-men-are-created-equal/comment-page-1/#comment-1629 Peter Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:22:21 +0000 http://www.jeffersontoday.org/?p=27#comment-1629 The context of those words when they were written meant nothing at the time. Jefferson went home to nearly 200 slaves. The words are great indeed, and they give value to American ideals- but they only exist that way when separated from the author. The context of those words when they were written meant nothing at the time. Jefferson went home to nearly 200 slaves. The words are great indeed, and they give value to American ideals- but they only exist that way when separated from the author.

]]> By: Kim Menietti http://www.jeffersontoday.org/2009/01/15/all-men-are-created-equal/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Kim Menietti Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:29:00 +0000 http://www.jeffersontoday.org/?p=27#comment-17 I'm doing a report on the Declaration Of Independence in school and from what I read I learned alot, considering I never knew anything about the Declaration. I'm very pleased with what I read about Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration. Thomas Jefferson was a great person for this country! I’m doing a report on the Declaration Of Independence in school and from what I read I learned alot, considering I never knew anything about the Declaration. I’m very pleased with what I read about Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration. Thomas Jefferson was a great person for this country!

]]> By: Kenneth T. Tellis http://www.jeffersontoday.org/2009/01/15/all-men-are-created-equal/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Kenneth T. Tellis Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:16:12 +0000 http://www.jeffersontoday.org/?p=27#comment-14 The words of Thomas Jefferson ring out loud and clear when he said: "I have sworn a holy war over every form of tyranny over the mind of man." To this I add, that you cannot dilute Liberty anymore than you can curb it. As for those who are wont to fight for freedom, remember these words of Thomas Jefferson: " The tree of liberty must be refreshed from timr to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure. The words of Thomas Jefferson ring out loud and clear when he said: “I have sworn a holy war over every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

To this I add, that you cannot dilute Liberty anymore than you can curb it. As for those who are wont to fight for freedom, remember these words of Thomas Jefferson: ” The tree of liberty must be refreshed from timr to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

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