administration of your affairs. I shall often go wrong through defect
of judgment. When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose
positions will not command a view of the whole ground. I ask your
indulgence for my own errors, which will never be intentional, and your
support against the errors of others, who may condemn what they would
not if seen in all its parts. The approbation implied by your suffrage
is a great consolation to me for the past, and my future solicitude
will be to retain the good opinion of those who have bestowed it in
advance, to conciliate that of others by doing them all the good in my
power, and to be instrumental to the happiness and freedom of all.

Relying, then, on the patronage of your good will, I advance with
obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become
sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make. And may
that Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe lead our
councils to what is best, and give them a favorable issue for your
peace and prosperity.


***

Thomas Jefferson
Second Inaugural Address
Monday, March 4, 1805

PROCEEDING, fellow-citizens, to that qualification which the
Constitution requires before my entrance on the charge again conferred
on me, it is my duty to express the deep sense I entertain of this new
proof of confidence from my fellow-citizens at large, and the zeal with
which it inspires me so to conduct myself as may best satisfy their