Mark Twain's First Inaugural Address Summary

Mark Twain states that “All you need in this world is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.” Although the author is generally regarded as a man of great satire and irony, there remains a definite notion of unflappable persistence underlying Twain’s words. The American regime, at its founding and for many years after, faced tremendous pressure and scrutiny from both outsiders and its own founders because of the unprecedented style of government proposed. The freedoms guaranteed by the constitution presented both opportunity and danger for the new regime. However, the confidence in the cornerstone truths of liberty and equality remained fervent in the hearts of American’s and its founders. The contrasts of attitude between the American

He argues that, if used improperly, freedom wields the capability of infringing upon another’s natural rights. Thus, freedom must be grounded in a mutual respect between men and their rights. Washington shares these same thoughts on the great responsibility of the American regime with his remarks on the sustainability of the union in his First Inaugural Address. He believes “the destiny of the republican model of government, [is] justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”(201). America and its values do not provide an infallible structure to Washington as the “experiment” has an opportunity for success and failure. America’s purpose, for the Founders, is a test of human nature with a hope of a regime that enables responsible citizens to carefully exercise the freedom they have been

He states, “We are the nation of human progress, and who will, what can, set limits to our onward march? Providence is with us, and no earthly power can.” (341). O’Sullivan argues that there is nothing on Earth that can limit the success of the new nation. The imperfection of human nature then, does not provide any setback to the destiny of America. Freedom no longer needs to be checked by a human or constitutional power because any abuse of it will not inhibit the progress of America. O’Sullivan states, “It is so destined, because the principle upon which a nation is organized fixes its destiny, and that of equality is perfect, is universal.”(340) Because of America’s founding principles are perfect, America’s greatness is unquestionably sustainable and unwavering. The fear of an abuse of freedom did not merit any worry for O’Sullivan and his unstoppable destiny for America, but the abuses of freedom in the past did lead to fear amongst Founding