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The Thomas Jefferson Discussion Group
of Orlando, Florida
Meeting No. 47 - March 15, 2005
Holiday House Restaurant, Orlando, Florida
THIS MONTH'S TOPIC:
THOMAS JEFFERSON ON THE U.S. ROLE IN
BIRTHING DEMOCRACIES AROUND THE WORLD
Just before Thomas Jefferson died in 1826 (I think in his declining an invitation to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Independence in Washington) he commented on his hope and purpose of this new government he helped birth -
"May [our Declaration of Independence] be to the world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all), the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government ... All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man."
-- Thomas Jefferson to Roger C. Weightman, 1826.
Elections in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Lebanon, in Ukraine. Elections coming in, of all countries, Saudi Arabia and Egypt? Are these events a manifestation of Jefferson’s vision in 1826? Has the United States been the beacon, lighting the way to the democratic expression of the will of these many millions of people? Or, has the United States, for our own selfish interest, merely meddled in the internal affairs of sovereign countries, trying to force democratic principles upon people not interested (or ready) for self-government.
What do you think? Join us at 6:30, Tuesday evening, March 15 at the Holiday House (In The La Quinta Inn at the intersection of I-4 and Lee Road).
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