Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
How long has it been since you read a text not associated with a school assignent?
Favorite Novels
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
- The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Blog Archive
About Me
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
Albert Einstein
"Education is the best provision for the journey to old age."
Aristotle
"Determine never to be idle...It is wonderful how much may be
done if we are always doing."
Thomas Jefferson
Albert Einstein
"Education is the best provision for the journey to old age."
Aristotle
"Determine never to be idle...It is wonderful how much may be
done if we are always doing."
Thomas Jefferson
22 comments:
In his letter to Samuel Kercheval, Thomas Jefferson explained that some men viewed constitutions with "sactiumonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched". Basically, I think he is saying that some people are afraid of the potential powers of a constitution. He goes on to explain that moderate imperfections in them will occur and that the people must accomodate for them. With the progression of the human race, it would have only been natural to allow room for changes in historical documents. For example, Jefferson explains that having a constitution that could not be added to or altered to accomodate society would be like requiring a man to wear the same coat he wore as a boy. He says that the monarchs in England needed to be more liberal, yield to progression, and let go of old habits. Therefore, the United States Constitution was created with the future of our country in mind - allowing room for new ammendments to be added or altered. I believe this hisorical document has helped make our nation dominant and allows for an organized system of fair government. = ]
In Thomas Jefferson's letter to Samuel Kercheval, he expresses his views on any Constitution, and if it is going to be seccessful, it needs room for adjusting. Jefferson says, "But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind" which basically means that the Constitution should be flexible enough to change with the Government as it progresses over time. When it comes to the United States Constitution, Jefferson sees it as a flexible document, that could be successful over time for that reason. In carlym's comment, she talks about how the United States Constitution was created with our future in mind, and that is why it shaped what our country is today. I would agree with her opinions because they reflect what Thomas Jefferson was saying.
Thomas Jefferson's opinoin on the constitution in his letter to Samuel Kercheval is very clear. As stated previously Jefferson thinks that it should be a document that allows room for improvement and is able to adjust over time. Jefforson says, "As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made...institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times." His view of a flexible constitution is stated. With concern to the United States Constitution Jefferson would be in favor of it because it is so leniant. Do you think it is good for a country that their constitution can continuoulsy be changed?
When Thomas Jefferson begins his letter to Samuel Kercheval he states that he is "not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions" but he basically contradicts himself by saying that changing times call for new and changing ideas and that people living at that moment have the right to alter the constitution. He says that the generation can have "a right to choose for itself the form of government it believes most promotive of its own happiness". He also states that without being able to make these changes citizens are at a dead end, an endless cycle. I think this applies to our Constitution because while writing it Jefferson obviously intended for there to be changes made and amendments added.
Thomas Jefferson's letter to Samuel Kercheval shows his opinions on the constitution. He says, "As (the human mind) becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times." This shows that Jefferson believes in change and that he is in favor of the new constitution. He understands that any constituition that is written must be open to change and without the ability to transform its laws and make changes it will surely fail. He uses an example of a man being forced to wear the same jacket as when he was a boy to represent what happens when no changes are made. It is an odd example, but shows what could happen if the new constitution would always be the same and never evolve. Another point that Jefferson makes is what would turn out to be the beginning of the electorial college. He talks about having each ward's mayor take a general vote of its members and in turn make the voices of each person heard. This is what the constitution is based on, the fact that the individuals you vote for are important because they will represent you in government. Jefferson believed that having people represent the general public would help to end the "circle of oppression, rebellion, and reformation", and so far it has That is why Jefferson believed that the Constitution would create a powerful and organized system to help lead the United States.
As stated above, Thomas Jefferson explained that the constitution needs to be a flexible document. He says that "instituitions must advance also, and keep pace with the times." Basically, stating that the Constitution needs to change with in the times. His reasoning behind this is "each generation is as independent of the one preceding, as that was of all which gone before". Since no generation is the same then the Constitution must change with it. He also stated that the Constitution must be created with the future in mind. The effect is obvious because today we have many admendments to the Consitution as time has passed. Kercheval obviously kept Jefferson letter in mind because today it is a flexible document.
I agree with the others... Jefferson was an anti-federalist, who in general was against too much power. He wanted power to the states, and in this letter, he discusses how rules must be flexible; ready to change when they need to. I think change is important, also, to answer carley's question. Without change, would any of us even be discussing this right now? There would have been no provisions for education! Yes, change is important, and I think Jefferson saw this, and elaborated on this in his letter to Kercheval.
In T. Jefferson's letter to Samuel Kercheval it talks about how the Government made the Constitution and how it is made to be flexible. Jefferson said in article, "But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind," which is pretty much saying that the Constitution was made for people to make changes as life goes on. Also that quote is saying that we the people should be able to say what we want and also be able to help fix it.
In Thomas Jefferson's letter to Smauel Kercheval he clarifies that the Constitution is meant to be loosely interpreted. "Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenent, too sacred to be touched". Later on in the letter, he mentions the common fact that time greatly affects our country. "Each generation is as independent of the one preceding, as that was of all which had gone before". This illustrates that a strict interpretation will not fluctuate as the years progress. The Constitution is clearly adequate for today's living, as it was when it was written.
It is very obvious that in his letter to Samuel Kercheval, Thomas Jefferson had a clear opinion on constitutions. This opinion would be that for any constitution to be sucessful, it can't be set in stone. Changes are going to eventually be made and room is going to have to be made to accomidate those changes. He even says that although he is "certainly not an avocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions" he believes "laws and institutions must go hand in hand wth the progress of the human mind." So basically he is saying that he isn't for the frivolous and quick, un-planned and not well thought out changes in laws, however he understands that times changes and that a constitution and laws need to be up to date with the times. This ties in with how our current Constitution is, because obviously it follows what Jefferson states in his letter: it was written with room for changes and added ammendments.
I agree with CarlyM when Thomas Jefferson says, "Some men look at constitutions...and deem them...too sacred to be touched." Reguarding the creators of the document, people believe, "what they did to be beyond amendment"; However, Jefferson then continues to explain why a document such as the Constitution should be flexible. He blieves that as a race progresses so should its governing documents and points that one of the many failures of a monarch was to not favor "progressive accommodation to progressive improvement." This ideology aids to the success of the U.S. because his views allowed him to create a liberal document such as the Constitution. CarlyC asks if it is good for a country to have a constitution that continuously changes. I think it is a good concept because our society would not be able to change or progress if our laws didn't allow it to. Jefferson said he is not supportive of frequent changes so I don't agree with AleseK's comment on Jefferson contradicting himself. He believes that "the opportunity...to change should be provided by the Constitution" - not that it should change.
In Thomas Jefferson's Letter to Samuel Kercheval, It Appears as though Jefferson Believed Some People Thought of the Constitution as a Sacred Object almost as a Holy Grail or something of that Nature. I will Agree with Carly M on the Part that I think People Are Afraid of the Potential Power of a Constitution. He Also says that Imperfections in a Constitution are Better to have when it is "Borne" Most Likely Because If You Have an Imperfection 20 Years After it is Made it Will Have the Goverment seem Like It is Incompetent. He Says In His Letter " Let Us Provide In our Constitution for its Revision At Stated Periods." Basically Have in the Constitution a Part where it says it could be revised. That Way If there is an Imperfection in it, it can be caught and fixed.
In Thomas Jefferson's letter, he states how he feels about revising constitutions. He wrote that he opposes frequent change because people should learn to "accomodate ourselves to [the laws]". Although he doesn't believe we should change laws often, Jefferson thinks that we must change laws as we o along with time. He writes that the people as a nation develop, we make new discoveries, and institutions advance. To plainly state his idea, he writes, "...let us provide in our Constitution for its revision at stated periods." Jefferson's ideas have also influenced his thought on the Constitution. The European government was not advanced and it was hurting the people. Jefferson understood that and wrote, "Let us follow no such examples". He didn't want to be as weak as the Europeans were. His ideas of changing the constitution when neccessary reflect him not wanting to be like Europe. Jefferson had strong and intelligent arguments for his beliefs.
When Thomas Jefferson writes his letter to Kercheval he wants to describe the constitutions ability to change. Jefferson wants to get the point across that the document is alive and it can change as time goes on and human activities change. He says that a set in stone document is like forcing a man to wear the same coat as he did when he was a boy. His view of a revisable document is seen in the set up of the Constitution and how amendments can be added and removed.
I agrre with the majority of posters: Jefferson's letter encourages caution towards the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson opened the letter by stating that men hold constitutions too dearly, as divine and prefect as "the ark of the covenant". This is a devastating ideology. If a govnerment cannot adapt, its nation cannot survive. Jefferson's analogy in Paragraph One illluminates the foolishness of an inflexible constitution, saying, "We might as well require a man to wear still the coat that fitted him when a boy". He obivously respected the constitution. However, he alos recognized that it needed room to grow. America could endure only if each generation to tailor the document to its own needs.
Jefferson, one of America's greatest founding fathers, respected for the Constitution. And, after the bitter fight for independence, many leaders where quick to support it, to support a document that would secure a democratic government. Jefferson, however, remained cautious. Democracy is something grand, yet fragile. It can easyily crumble under the weight of dissent and rebellion. Jefferson knew that, if American democracy was to endure, it would need to yield to changing winds. Holding to old traidtions was what "deluged Europe in blood", what agraviated Americans to the point of revolution. Jefferson's cautious view of the Constitution gave American democracy longevity.
Thomas Jefferson's view of constitutions is a flexible one as he presents in his letter to Samuel Kercheval. Thomas Jefferson believes that a document must be changeable in context of progress but also firm (In that it can guide a country). "As that (Human Mind) becomes more developed, more enlightened...new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times." His proactive beliefs influenced the Constitution immensely in that the document can be continuously amended and changed based on the pressing matters of the times. Jefferson knew the government of Britain and its flaws which also contributed to how he perceived constitutions. He knew that the people should have the right to change it to benefit their needs. As CarlyM used in her response, “… Jefferson explains that having a constitution that could not be added to or altered to accommodate society would be like requiring a man to wear the same coat he wore as a boy.” A constricting system of law would be a disaster for America. Jefferson made the constitution amendable for future generations to avoid this disaster.
In his letter, Thomas Jefferson was predicting, probably based on how far the country had already progressed, that it would continue to change and grow and that the Constitution as it was, set in stone, would not always be sufficient. He advised that it change and amend as the country did, because the circumstances for establishing Justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the Blessings of Liberty would become more complex as the country developed. He also said that the men that wrote the Constitution were also human and had even less wisdom and experience than the present men. These men must accommodate for previous "moderate imperfections".
Thomas Jefferson feels that the people who live under the law of a constitution feel that the constitution is almighty. They forget that people have written this constitution and that it was not handed down to them from a superior being. Ultimately, a constitution is oppressive. It needs to change with the times that constantly require new laws and changing of the old ones, but since people feel so powerless to such a constitution, it does not get changed very easily, which is harmful to the people and to the government.
Jefferson was an anti-federalist from the start, like Rob says, so he was against giving to much power to the national government (the constitution). So he pretty much lost his battle.
Jefferson felt that the Constitution should be flexible. He stated that an inflexible Constitution was comparable to requiring a man to wear the same coat from when he was a boy throughout his life. He realized that in order for a nation to survive, the Constitution must be made adaptable for each separate generation. He says that, “As that becomes more developed, more enlightened...new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times.” He knew that without being able to adapt, the nation would soon cease to exist. He did not want to follow England’s government because he saw that it was not flexible and ultimately hurting the nation.
Everybody before me pretty much covered this really well and adding quotation is going to look like I just copied. So since they all had it done pretty well I can't add good quotation. Thomas Jefferson was an anti federalist.
He wanted the states to have more power like Robby said, and he said how rules could be bended, twisted, and turned. Robby is right. Without change a lot of our freedoms would be taken away from us and we wouldn't have half of what we have now. He believed that change was important and he had to discuss this in his letter to samuel kercheval.
Jefferson seems to believe that constitutions should be relatively fluid documents that are neither held in awe nor frivolously changed, but simply molded to best meet the needs of the people. Jefferson starts off by mentioning how people view the constitution “like the ark of the covenant,” and believe it to be “beyond amendment.” He refutes this belief by stating that the fabled authors of the time were “very like the present, but without the experience of the present…” thus showing his belief in the equality of all generations in the ability to govern themselves. However, Jefferson is careful to state that he is “certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions,” and believes that people should learn to live with minor problems in the government (a theory also expressed in his Declaration of Independence). But while people should learn to deal with small problems, he also states the “Each generation … has…a right to choose for itself the form of government most promotive of it owns happiness…” This supports Jefferson’s assertion that the Constitution requires “revision at stated periods.” Clearly, Jefferson thought he was building a framework for the government that future generations would be able to change as they saw fit to continually improve it. He did not expect the awed reverence we now have for the Constitution; rather, he hoped people would learn to accept its minor flaws but mend major problems that did not work for their generation. Perhaps this is why he treated the issue of slavery as he did (ignoring it for twenty years), hoping that future generations would be able to work it out for themselves.
As said by Thomas Jefferson, "institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times." this most simply says the constitution must be live and adjustable through the time as the people around it and with holding it adapt and evolve to new times. Generations change and grow, for example when we look back to the standards of our grandparents, there are similarities and differences we can learn successes and learn from their mistakes. Having a live adaptable constitution makes it possible for the government and its people to adapt to the new times. Kercheval def. was influenced by Jefferson’s letter, and now we have a flexible constitution.
Post a Comment