Thomas Jefferson Quotes
Shall we refuse the unhappy fugitives from distress that hospitality which the savages of the wilderness extended to our fathers arriving in this land? Shall oppressed humanity find no asylum on this globe?
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, 3rd President of the United States (Democratic Republican, VA), 1st Annual Message to Congress, 1801
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
At the time, Jefferson was the Governor of Virginia and the Indians and white settlers in the Western part of the state were coming into increasing conflict. This rather heartless and blood thirsty quotation of Jefferson’s surprises many of his great admirers. Especially because of his historical sophisticated and empathetic way he treated Indians. See {589102}, {589103}, {589113}, {589125}, and {605068}. Jefferson saw Indians much like he saw whites—differentially. Some were friends, some neutral, and some dangerous enemies. His wish to exterminate or ethnically cleanse these Indians was limited to these Indians—not to Indians in general. Nonetheless, it shows a violent side of Jefferson that was in play with enemies. As President, he was aggressive against the Muslim Pirates (see {623707} and {617123}).
At the time immigrants had to live in America 14 years before they were eligible for citizenship. The President urged a reduction in that waiting period which is what was done. This was one of the earliest statements of America as a haven to the oppressed of the world. Note that despite occasional squabbles over land use and theft, the general assessment of the President and the public was that the Indians although not as civilized had welcomed the whites with “hospitality.” The next years would produce the conflict for land and begin the massive usurpation of Indian land that would characterize American policy and practice until the latter half of the 20th century, buy which time there was little Indian land left.
For Christians and Jews, this statement has formed a moral obligation to not oppress immigrants and asylum seekers.
Congress was debating the Naturalization Act of 1790. Page and many others (see {616324}) argued that there should be no qualification requirements on immigrants as every person coming to America added to the strength of the nation. Congress reached a compromise between those who favored unlimited naturalization and citizenship and those who wanted heavy restrictions. It required a 2 year residence, a certification of good character and an oath, modest by modern standards.
The first sentence of this quotation was a favorite of Paine’s. As such he thought nothing of using it again in 1791. See {615405}.
1st Earl of Kingston. In 1848, there were a number of democratic revolutions in Europe. In France, however, there was a Military Coup led by Louis Napoleon (Napoleon BonaparteII) who was then declared “President.” The French King and Queen escaped and went to England. The new Louis Napoleon French government charged that if the English would provide asylum to the French Royal Family, England would be interfering in the internal affairs of France by supporting the Royal Family in their presumed efforts to regain the crown. At the same time, there were many Englishmen who wanted nothing to do with the French King as France had been England’s traditional enemy. None the less, the Prime Minister maintained and strengthened the English principle and tradition of tolerance and asylum for a wide variety of political opinion. Over the years many people, great and not; right, left, and center, popular and unpopular, had found sanctuary in England. This tradition was picked up by America which even eclipsed England in being the great political asylum to the world.
Most immigration reformers want to open immigration more widely. Ward wanted immigration restricted to certain ethnicities and limited.
- Born: April 13, 1743
- Died: July 4, 1826
- Nationality: American
- Profession: President
Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He had previously served as the second vice president of the United States under John Adams between 1797 and 1801. The principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was a proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, motivating American colonists to break from the Kingdom of Great Britain and form a new nation; he produced formative documents and decisions at both the state and national levels.
