Evening star., 1924-03-30
ny THOMAS n. MARSHALL.
Former Vice President Of the II. 8.


The right of a people to govern
themselves involves their right to
change the basic principles of their
government, but they ought not to
proceed blindly to make the change.
clear comprehension of the idea
upon which the republic is founded
and an Intelligent understanding that
the change proposes to alter that idea
are essential. The dominating influ-
ence of Thomas Jefferson. when the
foundations of the republic were be-
ing laid, is beyond dispute and his
views may be compressed into a
statement like this. Ours is a govern
ment for the individual 1t is the life,
the liberty and the pursuit of tappi-
ness OF the individual which govern
ment should guard and guarantee. AS
little legislation hampering the free
will OF the honest and intelligent citi-
zen as can possibly be had should
mark activities of government.
BY the pride which jefferson took
in the establishment Of the University
OF Virginia and by his constant itera-
tion of the principle of necessity for
education, it is clear that he deemed
education to be necessary for the
maintenance of a democracy. This
principle, which has been written into
the laws of states. is generally, ac-
cepted. Jefferson also held that the
education which was advisable in this
country was education which not only
promoted the peace, Quietude' and
good order OF society. but which
gave utmost freedom Of expression
to the traits and ambitions of the
Individual.
No individualist disputes the neces-
sity for education to maintain the re-
public, nor does he deny that up to
a certain point and with reference to
certain things education should be
furnished gratuitously and made COM
pulsory. / shall not say that man
may not be a good American citizen
who does not read, write and speak
the English language. who does not
have some knowledge Of his country's
history. who does not comprehend the
principles of government who does
not understand the workings of
economic laws. but other things be-
AhS ONbaib ilc ~uo hdS DcCh CQuCdICu
along these lines stands a better
chance. In that fact lies sufficient
Justification for a government to
make compulsory education on certain
subjects and up to a certain point
So varied are religious views in
this country that although a ma
jority may think that some religious
! faith is necessary for good govern
| ment, we have frankly admitted that
compulsory education in religion
might do more harm than arises from
| its total lack In state education. /
long have hoped that some adjust
| ment between the warning factions of
faith would permit some slight in
oculation of the youth of the land
! with broad religious ideas and aims.
However. If the individualistic idea
| is to prevail. then so long as / teach
my boy loyalty to the Constitution
and laws of the United States, IL is
no business of the government If i
train him to be q Presbyterian; and
| if / really believe in this individual
| istic idea. then l must grant the
! right of my neighbor. under like re-
strictions. to train up his boy to be
| a Catholic. So individualistic has
been the republic thus far that he
was not thought to be an American
democrat who was not willing to let