Jeffersonian Idea-
Can the common population be trusted with Government?

"I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom." Thomas Jefferson, framer of the Declaration of Independence, uttered these words in 1816. His idea of a Republic, particularly the United States of America, was that of rule by the people. Hamilton would argue that the elite and "noblest minds" of the country should rule. This, however, is too similar to the aristocratical government the United States just fought to leave. Jefferson argued that the power of the government should come from the people.

Citizens of the United States have the right to vote for their representatives in order to have their voices and opinions heard. As we have seen but two days ago, this system works and has benefited man since the foundation of our country. Jefferson's plan of government ruled by the common population is in effect today, however it is slightly different than he would have expected it. Rather than voting on each separate issue, the common population votes for representatives to use their best judgment on what most benefits their area when passing a law in Congress.
"Jefferson reasoned that the entire citizenry must be educated and virtuous in order to cast an intelligent vote... since lawmakers in a republic must be chosen without regard to wealth, birth, or other accidental condition,' all citizens must be well educated since any one of them might be called to service." While fighting for the rule of the common man, Jefferson also fought for the education system. His plan for education was a clever way of improving government. He was a member of a group of advocates of an educational system that "took as their objective the creation of a new type of individualvirtuous, patriotic, wise, justmolded by education into an independent-minded yet fiercely steadfast citizen." He also argued for Federally-funded education, so that everyone was able to get this well-rounded education. In doing this, Jefferson was able to ensure that the common citizens that would run the country were well educated and virtuous, contrary to what Hamilton may argue. These citizens were greater in numbers and nearly as well educated as the aristocrats that Hamilton would have ruling the government.
Hamilton's belief that those of those of noble or aristocratic society should rule is the free republic is a contradiction of what a republic is. Jefferson once said that Hamilton's views of government would bring them about a transition "from the present republican form of government, to that of a monarchy in which the English constitution is to be the model.

Learn more about this author, Colt Justice.
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