At the Jefferson Memorial
by Larry Chamberlin Oct 19, 2015
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Thomas is about words |
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9 years ago
by Everlasting
If I learnt correctly from a history class, Thomas Jefferson was an amazing writer, but he wasn't the best speaker.
Ever since I learnt that, it gave me hope. Great piece.-
9 years ago
Truthfully that is news to me. Now I've learned something.
On the other hand he had to been at least able to speak well enough to earn the presidency, so maybe it's a relative talent.
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9 years agoby Ben Pickard
I'm not American, Larry, but am well aware of the importance of this man to American people - a founding father and the main author of the Declaration of Independence. I love the end of this piece: "These are words you can live by and when it's finished be proud of your life". An inspirational piece, Larry.
All the very best,
Ben-
9 years ago
Thanks, Ben
It was an inspiring experience, walking down the tidal basin to the memorial late in the evening. I'd been in DC before but did not walk so far.
TJ has always been a personal hero of mine, so to finally make it, with that gigantic statue, standing tall, holding a rolled up document in his hand (Declaration? Treatise on Liberty? Denunciation of slavery?)
Plus, unique to him, rather than descriptions of his deeds, the walls bore his words! Such Power in them:
"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
Thomas Jefferson
"Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free."
Thomas Jefferson
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