Slovenians, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence

Slovenians, Thomas Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence

...In his copy of of Bodin's "Republic" Thomas Jefferson had initialed two pages. On one page was Bodin's definition and characterization of a tyrant, which was quite similar in concept to the phrases used in the Declaration of Independence.  On the other initialed page was a description of the installation of the Dukes of Carinthia, a Slovenian ritual which may have contributed greatly to the founding of our great country...

..This custom, which was still being practiced during the time of the American Revolution, was living proof that the social contract did, in fact, exist, at least among the Slovenians..

...The Slovenians believed that the power to govern rested with the people who were to be governed, not those who were governing. They believed that their rulers should be men of the people, of all the people.  They believed that the true qualities of those in government should be competency and concern.  They believed that their leaders had a solemn duty to the people to be righteous.  And we Americans believe in these same principles today.  So did Thomas Jefferson during the time of the Revolution...

United States Senate
November 28, 1967

Frank J. Lausche
U.S. Senator

Slovenian-American Heritage Foundation
Slovensko-Ameriski Kulturni Svet

Cleveland, Ohio

Bicentennial 1976

Submitted by 
Bryan Arnold
@nanowhiskers