Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-06-17
STEPHENS ON
HUMAN LIBERTY
---------------
Says II Is Erroneous to Attribute Its
Rise to French Revolution,
EXISTED PRIOR THERETO.
Distlngui,hed Lvcturer Pays Tribute
To Voltaire as the Great CHAINS
pion Of Humanity.

The parent.llke care OF individual
aud community interests, admlnlstra-
ton TO the wants Of the destitute, the
education of children under government
auspices, political freedom and military
despotsm have been some Of the re-
suits Of the French Revolution, de-
clared Prof stephens In his lecture at
The University Of Utah today
The French idea OF liberty was not,
as commonly supposed, originated with
the French Revolution, for years pre-
yious to that time unti-slayery socie-
ties In London and reform associations
in other countries had held meetings
Ind conventions and formed protests
against conditions VI seryility among
humanity. In fact, GuIne Of the mon
drChi9s had Issued edicts which lifted
ituch Of the burden Of slavery from the
lack OF the common man. There had
existed an enlightened despotism which
ltaugurated gradual reform of public
ISatment Of public conditions and pop
dar welfare. During the period which
epyered probably a century divided he
tween the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries most marked changes had
come to despotisms and monarchies.
From the condition in which the despot
declared Il am the state there was a
furn 20 the policy which eventually
made the king to say II am the first
servant OF the state" But even un-
der more liberal methods Of govern
ment, humanity could not reap the full
bpuaNt ~ ifg fpaa1ofa utffhput agaiut-
ance intellectually and materially-in-
tellectually by means OF public educa-
tion and materially in the protection OF
the labor Of the common man.
II is erroneous to attribute TO the
French Revolution the origin OF the
present fulncss OF human liberty. For
many years, many decades before the
revolution, conditions had so changed
that insanity was not considered to be
The Offspring Of witchcraft, but was
Known and declared to be disease for
the treatment OF which asylums were
established for the unfortunate afilict-
ed; prisons were also made more whole
some and humane ohastlsement of err
ror took the place OF cruel punishment.
Prof stephens paid tribute to Vol
taire, whom he designated as the very
much misunderstood champion OF hui
lnanity upon secular lines. Votaire
was among the first of the philosophers
aud champions Of human public rights
who taught man his duty to his brother
man; not for religious reasons not be-
cause HIS souls salvation IN the here
after may depend upon the advice or
assistance given but because OF his
duty as a man upon the simple grounds
OF manhood. Voltalre was one OF the
marked champions of secular human
conditions and to his teachings and at
utude IL due much OF the French idea
OF human liberty In thought and ac-
tion.
From the French revolution came, as
a principal result. the French NATIONAL
ity. the French patriotism which has
spread itself to other countries ana
from which has evolved the intense
worship of country OF the Frenchman,
the almost Vicious love OF country of
The German, the intolerance of
the Hungarian, who seeks 10 OBJ
literate from earth anything Rou-
Inanian that may exist thereon. While
the Poles are happy in their own Lam
guage and country so intensely vicious
IN Germany, is the love Of the father
land That no subject OF the kaiser may
rest easy except In an effort 10 make Of
every Pole a good little German
The professor related the story used
with much gusto by Carlysle and Dick
ems and other English writers and or
ators, which credited France with hay-
Ing an obnoxious law recurring moor
peasants TO patrol the marshes al night
In order TO prevent the crOaklng of the
frogs and the consequent disturbance
OF their masters slumbers. The speak.
er declared the story TO have originated
In a national humor that was misinter.
pretated and misunderstood by Carlysle.
Dickens and others
The new viewpoint OF the French
revolution. said the professor, has rob-
ped history OF much OF its poetry and
romance, but has paid its devotion TO
truth and accurate documentary recita-
tion.
Last night Prof Stephens eotured at
Barratt hall, having for his subject
English Schools" English schools.
said the professor, paid more attention
TO the formation Of character and less
70 the teaching OF useful, practical
knowledge the boys being always
taught by men and the girls by women.
The English school is supported IN It's
own endowment and Is therefore indie
pendent OF public taxation and the peo-
pie have no voice in It's conduct. In
the class OF education extended In the
public schools may be found In large de-
gree the foundation for Englands coll
onial supremacy. Every boy Is taught
TO IND his place in the world and to add
here TO conservatism and TO cling 20
that which is old. Boys are IN turn
Tags and masters. learn TO obey
quickly and command firmly. both con-
ditions being confronted IN the English
public schools. These give secondary