I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their 

John Atherton, I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.--Thomas Jefferson on popular sovreignty, letter to W.C. Jarvis, 1820. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1952-1953, gouache and paper on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.7
John Atherton, I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their , 1952-1953, gouache and paper on paperboard, sheet: 22 x 18 1⁄8 in. (55.8 x 46.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.7

Artwork Details

Title
I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. – Thomas Jefferson on popular sovreignty, letter to W.C. Jarvis, 1820. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Artist
Date
1952-1953
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 22 x 18 1⁄8 in. (55.8 x 46.0 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
gouache and paper on paperboard
Classifications
Subjects
  • Literature — Jefferson
  • Occupation — political — president
  • Portrait male — Jefferson, Thomas — bust
Object Number
1984.124.7
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.124.7

Works by this artist (9 items)

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Eduard Buk Ulreich, Sir Francis Drake (study for Tallahassee mural), watercolor, pen and ink, tempera and penci, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1980.128.10
Sir Francis Drake (study for Tallahassee mural)
Artist
watercolor, pen and ink, tempera and penci
Not on view
Eduard Buk Ulreich, Florida Today (study for Tallahassee mural), watercolor, pen and ink, tempera and pencil, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1980.128.12
Florida Today (study for Tallahassee mural)
Artist
watercolor, pen and ink, tempera and pencil
Not on view
Eduard Buk Ulreich, Juan Ponce de Leon (study for Tallahassee mural), watercolor, pen and ink, tempera and penci, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1980.128.8
Juan Ponce de Leon (study for Tallahassee mural)
Artist
watercolor, pen and ink, tempera and penci
Not on view
Eduard Buk Ulreich, Bimini (Aborigine) (study for Tallahassee mural), watercolor, pen and ink, tempera and pencil, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1980.128.7
Bimini (Aborigine) (study for Tallahassee mural)
Artist
watercolor, pen and ink, tempera and pencil
Not on view

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