The first monument we made it to was Thomas Jefferson. I would of liked multiple hours dedicated to each monument. As it was, we were lucky to have a day to get in as many as we could.
Mr. Griffin, our Social Studies teacher was able to give historical significance to the architectural style. While I found it interesting, I don’t recall most of it. I did find his depth and breath of knowledge amazing. Thomas Jefferson was truly a renaissance man. Under the memorial was a small museum and gift shop (s).
This first quote was from there. The rest are part of the memorial.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was, and never will be. 1816
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the Liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, this 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. Establish the law for educating the common people. This is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.
I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions. But law and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened. As new discoveries are mode, new truths discovered and manner and opinions change. With the changes of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as wall required a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We …solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states…and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.
Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishment or burthens---are departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our Religion---no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief. But all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.
(around the top, inside)
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