Monday, July 4, 2011

4th of July, America's Birthday




John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House
for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. 
He made this statement:

" This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence
ever to gather at one time in the White House
with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."








Thomas Jefferson knew, because he himself had studied the previously failed attempts at government. 
He understood actual history, the nature of God, God's laws, and the nature of man. 
That happens to be way more than what most understand today. His is a voice from the past to lead us into the future.  
Thomas Jefferson was a remarkable man who began his learning very early in life and never stopped.

At 5, he began studying under his cousins' tutor.

At 9, he studied Latin, Greek and French.

At 14, he studied classical literature and additional languages.

At 16, he entered the 
College of William and Mary.

At 19, he studied Law for 5 years, starting under George Wythe.

At 23, he started his own law practice.

At 25, he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.

At 31, he wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the Rights of British America " and retired from his law practice.

At 32, he was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress.

At 33,he wrote the Declaration of Independence.

At 33, he took three years to revise Virginia 's legal code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom
.

At 36, he was elected the second Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry.

At 40, he served in Congress for two years.

At 41, he was the American minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben Franklin and John Adams.

At 46, he served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington.

At 53, he served as Vice President and was elected president of the American Philosophical Society.

At 55, he drafted the Kentucky Resolutions and became the active head of the Republican Party.

At 57, he was elected the third president of the United States.

At 60, he obtained the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the nation's size.

At 61, he was elected to a second term as President.

At 65, he retired to Monticello.

At 80, he helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine.

At 81, he almost single-handedly created the University of
Virginia and served as its first president.

At 83, he died, on the 50th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence along with John Adams
.


When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe , we shall become as corrupt as Europe.
   
Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
   
Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes, a principle which if acted on, would save one-half the wars of the world.
  
Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
  
Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
 
  
Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be deprived the use of arms.
   
Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
   
Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
   
Thomas Jefferson

 To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
  
Thomas Jefferson


AND FINALLY……….
Thomas  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.


 

Happy Birthday America !!

May we always heed to wise words of our founders,
who suffered so much to bring true freedom to
these shores.  During these perilous times we will pray
that all Americans know they have a voice, and that they
will choose to use that voice.
















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8 comments:

  1. Wow thatnks for my histroy lesson. I have always been fascinated by Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin but never knew so many fast facts about Thomas!! Thank you-he was definitely a remarkable man who believed you could never know too much, we should all take note- and keep on learning and teaching each other, happy 4th Marsha!!

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  2. Hi Marsha,

    Thank you for this reminding of what really matters today. What a wonderful man he was.

    Happy 4th of July!

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  3. have a happy Holiday,

    maureen

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  4. So well put. We should always take advantage of the widsom of those that have gone before us. So sad that people don't! Hope you have a great day!

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  5. Happy 4th of July. Such inspirational words. I hope you are having a fabulous day!

    ~Olga
    http://olgaduron.blogspot.com/

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  6. WOW - incredible. I've always admired Thomas Jefferson - quite the renaissance man - and clearly the astute politician as well!! My eldest was born on his birthday!!

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  7. Oh my - that last quote is chilling and so so true. They knew it then. And that is why they wrote the declaration and constitution in the manner that they did. wow.

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  8. One of the best post for 4th July!
    So thoughtful!
    Thank you Marsha for giving an European this beautiful history lesson!
    Karin

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