The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-04-29
John Locke,
Philosopher
A Most Entertaining Resume OF the
Achievements of this
Great Scholar.

Paper Read Before the Ghuutduqud taTcfe.
Among the eminent men who have
won enduring fame in the domain OF
thought-who have achieved the un-
dying distinction of giving to the world
for the benefit of, mankind original
ideas in the most difficult of sciences,
the name of John Locke stands in the
front rank. The desire to know and
search for the beginning of things-to
be able to answer the question, "Who
ana /, what am and whence came I?"
has been a problem confronting the
most intellectual and brilliant minds
from the earliest times of which we
have recorded history.
To have given new direction to the
pursuit of this important investigation
and added no small original contribu-
tion to the worlds store of learning is
the just claim to fame of John Locke.
John Locke, the unQuestioned found
er of the analytic philosophy of the
mind, was born of weil-to-do parents
at Wrington, Somersetshire, England,
on August 20, 1852. His father was
lawyer ard q captain in the Parlia-
mentary army. The social standing
aud political influence of his family
must have been above the average for
John studied at Westminster School,
London, aud in 1861 became member
of Christ College, Oxford University,
where he graduated in 1866. His biog-
rapher tells us that this gre at universe
ty was distinguished then, as it has
ever been, by its attachment to what
ever Is old and established. The past
is it's model. The past has its affection.
Johns statement is recorded that he
had profound contempt for the course
of study and always regretted the time
spent there. But the world is richer by
his college experience through his dis
course on Education. Locke believed
.elf-education to be the best. He be-
level call men will e. 1ucate themselves
il left to themselves" Here is seen
the profound wisdom of the thinker
without the practical knowledge of the
human side of life. His error was in
not knowing that the majority must be
educ ated by force, ami for these schools
are Indispensable.
After graduation Locke remained at
Oxford University as a lecturer on
metaphy sizes and also became student
of me licine. His original idea in this
profession combined with successful
treatment of stubborn diseases brought
him to the attention of q uoted Eng
iishman, the Earl of Shaftsbury. This
enlightened statesman beca ne his pa
tron.
To the interest and liberality shown
by this brcai-minded nobleman Locke
owed his position and opportunity to
devote years to metaphysical rest -ch
Six years were spent abroad in the dip
iomatic service and in the service of his
patron. In 1870 he projected and be-
gan his assay on the Human Under.
standing" For nearly twenty years he
iabored on this remarkable treatise
finishing it In 1857. From 1875 to 1856
he was forced to live abroad owing t6
his advocacy of liberal and popular
government. On the accession OF
William of Orange he returned to Eng
land and was we'll provided for with
political Offices. His last years were
devoted to study and investigation ol
the Bible.
The popular idea of liberal govern
ment in 1868 may be shown by study
of the constitution framed by Locke
for a model republic to be founded OF
the territory now covered by North ant
South Caroline and Georgia. Thi
model state was governed By q consti
tuition that divided the people into fou
hereditary castes-the common peopl
being serfsof the soil. Then foliowe'
freenen, mobiles snd Hagnates. On