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 (2 items)

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
I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society…
Artist
Date1952-1953
gouache and paper on paperboard
Not on view
John Atherton, Minnesota, from the United States Series, 1946-1949, gouache and ink on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.6
Minnesota, from the United States Series
Artist
Date1946-1949
gouache and ink on paperboard
Not on view

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Artist
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gouache, crayon, and paper on paperboard
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