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FROM THE ARCHIVES
June, 1789
Thomas Jefferson Booed at New College
By Peter Porcupine
NEW YORK - During a commencement speech at a new college
recently built in New York, Thomas Jefferson was repeatedly heckled
and booed by a raucous gathering of graduates.
According to the organizers of the protest, they objected to Jefferson
being their commencement speaker. “He does not represent our
ideals,” said one student, John Rowe. “I may not know much, but I
know revolutionary war is dangerous and wrong.”
The protesters accused Mr. Jefferson of hyping the case for war
with England, alleging his Declaration of Independence cherry-picked
solely the arguments in favor of war.
“That document was very confrontational,” said another student.
“There were plenty of good things to say about England and his
Declaration should have included them.”
Word of the protest spread throughout the school and sign-painting
parties were held late into the night.
When Mr. Jefferson approached the podium, many students raised
signs that read, “Not in our name” and hurled invectives towards the
stage. Others simply turned their backs on the statesman.
Despite the hisses and boos, Jefferson carried on in his normal soft
voice, but more often than not, he was drowned out by angry chides
from the crowd.
As Mr. Jefferson recalled the events of the Continental Congress and
the vote that led to his drafting the Declaration of Independence one
student yelled, “It’s not about you, Jefferson!”
Another student chimed in, “Yeah, we’re graduating. Not voting!”
And still another shouted, “We never asked for Independence!”
--continued below--
June, 1789
Thomas Jefferson Booed at New College
By Peter Porcupine
NEW YORK - During a commencement speech at a new college
recently built in New York, Thomas Jefferson was repeatedly heckled
and booed by a raucous gathering of graduates.
According to the organizers of the protest, they objected to Jefferson
being their commencement speaker. “He does not represent our
ideals,” said one student, John Rowe. “I may not know much, but I
know revolutionary war is dangerous and wrong.”
The protesters accused Mr. Jefferson of hyping the case for war
with England, alleging his Declaration of Independence cherry-picked
solely the arguments in favor of war.
“That document was very confrontational,” said another student.
“There were plenty of good things to say about England and his
Declaration should have included them.”
Word of the protest spread throughout the school and sign-painting
parties were held late into the night.
When Mr. Jefferson approached the podium, many students raised
signs that read, “Not in our name” and hurled invectives towards the
stage. Others simply turned their backs on the statesman.
Despite the hisses and boos, Jefferson carried on in his normal soft
voice, but more often than not, he was drowned out by angry chides
from the crowd.
As Mr. Jefferson recalled the events of the Continental Congress and
the vote that led to his drafting the Declaration of Independence one
student yelled, “It’s not about you, Jefferson!”
Another student chimed in, “Yeah, we’re graduating. Not voting!”
And still another shouted, “We never asked for Independence!”
--continued below--
When Jefferson began to talk about the need to support Democratic
movements abroad, the students began chanting “Warmonger,” in
reference to Jefferson’s support for U.S. involvement in the French
Revolution.
Towards the end of his speech, the climate only got worse as
several students made racist comments alluding to rumors or Mr.
Jefferson’s affair with one of his slaves.
After the event many of the students defended their actions by
saying Jefferson should have known better to come to their school.
“He’s a Virginian and a Republican,” said one student. “What did he
expect coming here to New York.”
When asked about the reception he received Jefferson said he chose
to see it as a learning opportunity. He said the whole affair gave him
an idea to craft a bill that would protect the freedom of speech.
The President of the college also chose to put a positive face on the
event. “My students shouldn’t be judged too harshly,” said the
president. “There was talk of tar and feathering Mr. Jefferson and
the students should be commended for exhibiting self-restraint.”
movements abroad, the students began chanting “Warmonger,” in
reference to Jefferson’s support for U.S. involvement in the French
Revolution.
Towards the end of his speech, the climate only got worse as
several students made racist comments alluding to rumors or Mr.
Jefferson’s affair with one of his slaves.
After the event many of the students defended their actions by
saying Jefferson should have known better to come to their school.
“He’s a Virginian and a Republican,” said one student. “What did he
expect coming here to New York.”
When asked about the reception he received Jefferson said he chose
to see it as a learning opportunity. He said the whole affair gave him
an idea to craft a bill that would protect the freedom of speech.
The President of the college also chose to put a positive face on the
event. “My students shouldn’t be judged too harshly,” said the
president. “There was talk of tar and feathering Mr. Jefferson and
the students should be commended for exhibiting self-restraint.”
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