Daisy

Mike Murphy Period 2 10-13-09 Jefferson and the “Character Issue” Generally, Thomas Jefferson is known as the author of our Declaration of Independence, the document upon which American is based. By framing ideals regarded by the people as revolutionary, and instituting constitutional rights such as personal liberty and freedom, Jefferson is regarded as one of most important of our founding fathers. However, the personal failings of Jefferson have planted doubt in many historians’ mind as to whether he was, for lack of a better term, a just and moral person, worthy of remaining an important American symbol. Jefferson was quite accomplished as a politician, statesman, philosopher, architect, and visionary of the great westward expansion. While, indeed, Jefferson made questionable and contradictory decisions, his actions are interpreted through the looking glass of modern society, an example of presentism. He was a mere product of his environment, acting as most white land owners did during the late 1700’s, early 1800’s. “’Presentism’ is the term that historians use for applying contemporary or otherwise inappropriate standards to the past.” In simpler terms, presentism is the incorrect application of modern ideals and values to past events. It is a fact that society’s morals and opinions change as time progresses. Drastic changes in society can be seen as early as the 1970s to today, not to mention over 200 years ago. As mentioned in the text, it was not very uncommon to find a racist slave owner sleeping with one of his slaves. This fact has been distorted, however, not only because of Thomas Jefferson’s status in society, but because of the changed opinions of the people over time. In Jefferson’s time period, slavery was a normal part of life that was common among rich whites, and stark ideas were just beginning to emerge while little action was taken. Nonetheless, people today look at slavery as it is presently seen and bash Jefferson before considering the status quo in 1800. Many people despise Jefferson because his beliefs of equality contradict with him being a slave owner. However, Jefferson was born into a slaveholding family, and it was a common part of society. Wilson said, “How did a man who was born into a slaveholding society, whose family and admired friends owned slaves, who inherited a fortune that was dependent on slaves and slave labor, decide at an early age that slavery was morally wrong and forcefully declare that it ought to be abolished'” Compared to today’s standards that would be like a wealthy business owner banning the use of computers throughout the company, it is unrealistic; they are essential to the smooth-running of operations. Surviving in a slave society, it was only normal for Jefferson to keep and use his slaves. Also, freeing his slaves into society would probably result in a poor lifestyle for the freed people. People also discredit Jefferson for his affair with Sally Hemings, a slave of his. However, who can blame Jefferson, a grieving husband, for “a serious passion that brought Jefferson and the slave woman much private happiness over a period lasting thirty-eight years.”' It’s not morally right to decide whether two people’s love is credible and legitimate or not. The approaches to Jefferson taken by Douglas L. Wilson in Thomas Jefferson and the Character Issue and John Ferling in Setting the World Ablaze differ to a high degree. Wilson takes a more pro-Jefferson stance; discussing a lot about presentism affecting the current view of Jefferson. Wilson also discusses how a person’s (Jefferson) accomplishments outweigh their failures. “How should we remember the leading figures of our nation' By their greatest achievements and most important contributions or by their personal failures and peccadilloes' Can one category cancel out the other'” By looking at Jefferson’s actions as a whole, it is important to consider all actions and decide which side, good or evil, wholly won. Wilson also considers that Jefferson was just acting as many people in his position did at the time regarding slaves; it was unrealistic for him to release them as equals into society. Ferling, on the other hand, sides as a con-Jefferson critic. He disputes that Jefferson was a hypocrite who supported ideas of “equality among men” but contradicted himself by owning slaves. “Had Jefferson been the foe of slavery that he claimed to be… he might have achieved much.” In Ferling’s eyes, Jefferson was a scrub of society who exploited the work of slaves while feeding the people empty promises. In conclusion, Jefferson’s personal failings only slightly tarnished his reputation as a politician, statesman, and philosopher. While his accomplishments for our nation were great, his failures were only recently considered tarnishable to his reputation because of the distorted looking glass of modern society; “things” have changed since the 18th century. Thomas Jefferson, due to his significant contributions to the American fiber, should remain an unquestioned figure of our founding fathers without question.