With the fullest faith in the ability of man to govern himself, Jefferson nonetheless realized the responsibility of self-government could be assumed successfully only by an enlightened people. The habit of thinking of public education in essentially political terms, as an auxiliary of free government, naturally suggests a common father for both. In associating manhood suffrage with education, Jefferson was in the forefront. It was his belief in universal suffrage that made necessary the accompanying idea of universal education. Only popular government can safeguard democracy. . . .
Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone.
The people themselves are its only safe depositories. And to render them safe, their minds must be improved to a certain degree. . . . Education is here placed among the articles of public care. . . Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.