Jefferson's Words Inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial

MEMORIAL

(`I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" HE WORDS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON trines of Americanism, Thomas Jefferson cordance with the famous L'Enfant Plan, THE MEMORIAL BUILDING now indelibly inscribed in this Me- will forever be remembered as one of the together with the erection of the Washing- Tmorial to him might be called the great figures in American history. This ton Monument and Lincoln Memorial on THE SIGNIFICANCE of the architectural creed of his political and social philosophy. Memorial, built in a style of his own the west axis of the Capitol, long ago estab- scheme of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial His opposition to tyranny in all its forms liking, carrying inscriptions embodying lished the cardinal points of the city's plan. is apparent to even the casual student of was repeatedly voiced. In the Declara- his concepts of liberty and democracy, and The lone remaining site in this cross-like Jefferson. One of the best-known char- tion of Independence it appears in his housing a heroic statue by Rudulph scheme was the one selected for the Jeffer- acteristics of this great genius was his famous phrase ". . . that all men are Evans of New York City, a famous Amer- son Memorial south of the Tidal Basin on versatility and the remarkable practical created equal, that they are endowed by ican sculptor, is an appropriate tribute to a line with the south axis of the White application of his vast knowledge to many their Creator with certain inalienable his contributions to the founding of the House. fields of endeavor. Outstanding among rights . . ." It is seen in his Virginia American Republic. The American visiting the Nation's them was Jefferson's ability in architec- Statute of Religious Freedom as "Well Capital will sense the meaning of this ture, as illustrated by the design of the aware that Almighty God hath created the THE MEMORIAL SITE arrangement. Standing in the center of Virginia State Capitol, which was essen- mind free; . . ." Elsewhere it is ex- the group at the memorial to George tially his. The admiration he held for the pressed in supporting his beliefs in a simple ALTHOUGH the pleasant reflections of the Washington, he may look east along the circular-domed Pantheon in Rome was democratic form of government, freedom Thomas Jefferson Memorial seen along the wide vista of the Mall to the Capitol. To also mentioned several times, and his of the press, freedom of speech, and edu- south banks of Washington's Tidal Basin the north of him, and in clear view, is the designs of the rotunda at the University cation of the masses. These principles enhance its beauty, the selection of this White House. The Washington Monu- of Virginia and his famous home, Monti- and his leadership of the common man won site was influenced by factors of far greater ment, where he stands, the Lincoln Me- cello, further indicate his preference for for him the high place of third President significance than the purely aesthetic. morial to the west, and the Jefferson Me- this type of building. In the preparation of the United States. In this capacity he The importance of Jefferson as one of the morial to the south are the great national of the plan for the Memorial the archi- strove to insure these liberties by expand- great figures in the Nation's history de- memorials. These are his tribute to those tects, John Russell Pope and the survivors ing the Nation's frontiers and political manded a memorial site of prominence in figures in the Nation's history who he of his firm, Otto R. Eggers and Daniel P. system to include the great Louisiana the central plan of the Capital City and in feels have contributed most to our inde- Higgins, were clearly influenced by Jef- Territory. As an early champion of the relation to the other great memorials pendence, to the preservation of the Union, ferson's own taste as expressed in his writ- natural and civic rights of the individual, already built. The location of the Capi- and to his concepts of liberty and ings and demonstrated by these works. which have remained the principal doc- tol, the White House, and the Mall in ac- democracy. Thus the circular colonnaded structure,

GOD WHO GAVE GAVE US I WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF ALMIGHTY COD HATH CREATED THE US LIFE AM NOT AN ADVOCATE FOR FREQUENT OF A EVIDENT: THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED MIND FREE ALL ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE LIBERTY. CAN THE LIBERTIES CHANGES IN LAWS AND CONSTITUTIONS.

EQUAL. THAT THEY ,ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR IT BY TEMPORAL PUNISHMENTS OR NATION BE SECURE WHEN WE HAVE BUT LAWS AND INSTITUTIONS MUST GO

CREATOR WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE BURTHENS-ARE A DEPARTURE FROM REMOVED A CONVICTION THAT THESE HAND IN HAND WITH THE PROGRESS

RIGHTS. AMONG THESE ARE LIFE. LIBERTY THE PLAN OF THE HOLY AUTHOR OF LIBERTIES ARE THE GIFT OF COD? OF THE HUMAN MIND. AS THAT BECOMES

AND THE PURSUIT Of HAPPINESS, THAT OUR RELIGION NO MAN SHALL BE INDEED I TREMBLE FOR MY COUNTRY MORE DEVELOPED. MORE ENLIGHTENED.

TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS GOVERNMENTS COMPELLED TO FREQUENT OR SUPPORT WHEN I REFLECT THAT GOD IS JUST. AS NEW DISCOVERIES ARE MADE.NEW

ARE INSTITUTED AMONG MEN. WE' ANY RELIGIOUS WORSHIP OR MINISTRY THAT HIS JUSTICE CANNOT SLEEP FOR- TRUTHS DISCOVERED AND MANNERS AND

SOLEMNLY PUBLISH AND DECLARE.THAT OR SHALL OTHERWISE SUFFER ON EVER. COMMERCE BETWEEN MASTER OPINIONS CHANGE. WITH THE CHANCE THESE COLONIES ARE AND Or RIGHT ACCOUNT OF HIS RELIGIOUS OPINIONS AND SLAVE IS DESPOTISM. NOTHING OF CIRCUMSTANCES, INSTITUTIONS OUGHT TO BE FREE AND INDEPENDENT OR BELIEF, BUT ALL MEN SHALL BE IS MORE CERTAINLY WRITTEN IN THE MUST ADVANCE ALSO TO KEEP PACE STAFFS.. AND FOR EHE SUPPORT OF THIS FREE TO PROFESS AND BY ARGUMENT BOOK OF FATE THAN THAT THESE WITH THE TIMES. WE MIGHT AS WELL DECLARATION. WITH A FIRM RELIANCE TO MAINTAIN, THEIR OPINIONS IN PEOPLE ARE TO BE FREE. ESTABLISH REQUIRE A MAN TO WEAR STILL THE ON THE PROTECTION OF DIVINE LAW MATTERS OF RELIGION. I KNOW THE FOR EDUCATING THE COMMON COAT WHICH FITTED HIM WHEN A BOY PROVIDENCE. WE MUTUALLY PLEDGE BUT ONE CODE OF MORALITY FOR PEOPLE. THIS IT IS THE BUSINESS AS CIVILIZED SOCIETY TO REMAIN OUR LIVES. OUR FORTUNES AND OUR MEN WHETHER ACTING SINGLY OR OF THE STATE TO EFFECT AND ON EVER. U N DER_ THE REGIMEN OF THEIR SACRED HONOUR. COLLECTIVELY. A GENERAL PLAN. BARBAROUS ANCESTORS. The philosophy of Thomas Jefferson, based upon his own writings, inscribed on panels, on the walls of the Memorial Room an adaptation of the classic style which establishment of the University of Virginia Jefferson himself is credited with having as one of his outstanding accomplishments, introduced into this country, reflects even and he maintained throughout his entire in its pattern a measure of the respect held public career that the general education of by the Nation for this great American. the people was necessary to efficient self- The entrance to the Memorial is located government. Jefferson's vision in matters on the north, or Tidal Basin side. As the of government is demonstrated by the visitor passes from the plaza up the steps fourth panel. By this statement which ap- toward the Memorial Room he may view peared in a letter to a friend we know that at close range the sculptural group in the he recognized the necessity for change in pediment over the portico. It depicts the laws and institutions of a democracy Jefferson standing before the committee as opinions altered, new discoveries were appointed by the Continental Congress to made, and circumstances changed. write the Declaration of Independence. The domed interior of the Memorial is The draft of this famous document, which dominated by a heroic statue of Thomas Jefferson was selected to write, was adopted Jefferson. The sculptor, Rudulph Evans, almost as written. To the left of Jefferson, who executed this portraiture, was chosen as viewed from the steps, are Benjamin from more than a hundred who were con- Franklin and John Adams, and seated on sidered in a Nation-wide competition con- his right are Roger Sherman and Robert ducted by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial R. Livingston. The sculptor, Adolph A. Commission. The final selection of the Weinman of New York City, was selected standing figure presented by Evans was by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Com- made with the advice and assistance of mission to do this work. critics having national reputation in the On the interior walls of the Memorial fine arts. The height of the statue is 19 Room are four panels carrying inscriptions feet, and it stands in the center of the Me- based upon the writings of Jefferson de- morial Room upon a pedestal of black scribing the principal tenets of his philoso- Minnesota granite reaching 6 feet above phy. In the southwest quadrant are the floor. The statue of Jefferson, to- famous and inspiring phrases from the gether with the inscriptions executed in Declaration of Independence. It is ap- bronze, is in pleasant contrast with the propriate that these words should occupy white Georgia marble of the interior. The the first panel in the sequence, for it was four colonnaded openings of the Memo- Jefferson's wish that he be remembered rial—two on the east-west axis, and two first as the author of this most famed of on the north-south—make it possible to American documents. The words of the view the figure from many angles and second panel embody his doctrine of with varying lights and shadows. The freedom of the mind. It is nowhere better domed ceiling of Indiana limestone reaches expressed than in his Virginia Statute for approximately 67 feet above the head of Religious Freedom upon which this panel the statue. is based. The third panel, seen in the From the portico and the walk along the northeast quadrant, is devoted to his exterior colonnade, which surround the concepts of freedom of the body and to his building, the visitor may see some of the beliefs in the necessity of educating the interesting structural detail of the Me- masses of the people. Although his efforts morial. The exterior walls and dome of to abolish slavery were unavailing, he was Danby Imperial Vermont marble reach one of the first Americans to argue force- approximately 96 feet above this level. fully the inconsistency of slavery in a The terraces and steps of the stylobate democratic state. Jefferson considered his seen below are about 25 feet above the

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, Newton B. Drury, Director

NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. — Price $3.75 per 100 copies

ground. The diameter of the building morial Commission participated in the from this position is approximately 152 dedication ceremonies. feet. One may get a glimpse of the Capi- The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is open tol, White House, Washington Monument, daily from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. It is ad- and the Lincoln Memorial from this walk. ministered by National Capital Parks of The Memorial is beautifully mirrored in the National Park Service, Department of the Tidal Basin which lies to the north the Interior. All inquiries concerning the and west of the building. Memorial should be directed to Edward J. Kelly, Superintendent, National Capital ORIENTAL FLOWERING CHERRY TREES Parks, Washington 25, D. C. IN EARLY spring, when the Oriental Flowering Cherry Trees are in bloom, Thomas Jefferson Memorial appears in its most beautiful setting. It is then that the Memorial receives the greatest notice from the public. Although the blossoming of these famous trees, which encircle the Tidal Basin and number approximately 600, depends upon sea- sonal conditions, they ordinarily bloom about the first week in April and remain in blossom for 10 to 12 days. During this period the annual Cherry Blossom Festival is staged near the Tidal Basin. The cherry trees were the gift of the city of Tokyo to the city of Washington. The ceremony of official planting took place on the north side of the Basin on March 12, 1912, when Mrs. William Howard Taft, wife of the President of the United States, planted the first tree, and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador to the United States, planted the second tree.

CONSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION PROVISION for building an appropriate permanent memorial to Thomas Jefferson in the Capital City was made by act of Congress in 1934 (Public Resolution No. 49, 73rd Cong., approved June 26, 1934). The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Com- mission, created by this act, was responsi- ble for the planning and supervision of this great work. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on December 15, 1938, and the cornerstone was officially laid on November 15, 1939. On both of these occasions the President of the United States and the members of the Commis- sion took active part. On April 13, 1943, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, President of the United States, officially dedicated the Memorial. The Thomas Jefferson Me- The statue of Thomas Jefferson at night

REPRINT 1950 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1950 - 0-898681