Legends of Liberty August 2022 - Roots Of Liberty's Tree

[Mrs. Smith]

Good evening, and welcome to the August installment of Legends of Liberty!

Even though this man died 71 years before the first shots were fired at Lexington Green, his writings did much to inspire the ideals of the American Revolution. This, in turn, set an example which inspired people throughout Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

He was a friend and companion of Isaac Newton. He helped Quaker William Penn restore his good name when he was a political fugitive. He was described by the famous English physician Dr. Thomas Sydenham as "a man whom, in the acuteness of his intellect, in the steadiness of his judgement... that is, in the excellence of his manners, I confidently declare to have, amongst the men of our time, few equals and no superiors." Thomas Jefferson ranked him, along with his compatriot Algernon Sidney, as the most important thinkers on liberty. He helped inspire Thomas Paine's radical ideas about revolution. He fired up George Mason. From him, James Madison drew his most fundamental principles of liberty and government. His writings were part of Benjamin Franklin's self-education, and John Adams believed that both girls and boys should learn about him. The French philosopher Voltaire called him "the man of the greatest wisdom. What he has not seen clearly, I despair of ever seeing."

     

He was an English philosopher in the 17th century and is renown as one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment. It has been said that his "justification of revolt, as based on his theory of natural rights, was the background from which the Declaration sprang."

His name was John Locke.

It seems incredible that Locke, of all people, could have influenced individuals around the world. When he set out to develop his ideas, he was an undistinguished Oxford scholar. He had a brief experience with a failed diplomatic mission. He was a physician who long lacked traditional credentials and had only one patient. His first major work wasn't published until he was 57. He was distracted by asthma and other chronic ailments.

There was little in Locke's appearance to suggest greatness. He was tall and thin. According to biographer Maurice Cranston, he had a "long face, large nose, full lips, and soft, melancholy eyes." Although he had a love affair which, he said, "robbed me of the use of my reason," he died a bachelor.



But Locke's influence appears in countless speeches and writings of the Founding Fathers. For instance, the Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress - which was written two years prior to the Declaration of Independence by authors such as John Adams and George Washington - quotes Locke almost verbatim in resolving "[Colonists] are entitled to life, liberty and property."

His Two Treatises on Government were so radical for the time that he published them anonymously. To help assure his anonymity, he dealt with the printer through his friend Edward Clarke. Locke denied rumors that he was the author, and he begged his friends to keep their speculations to themselves. He cut off those like James Tyrrell who persisted in talking about Locke's authorship. Locke destroyed the original manuscripts and all references to the work in his writings. His only written acknowledgment of authorship was in an addition to his will, signed shortly before he died.



Locke's byline did appear with An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, published December 1689, and it established him as England's leading philosopher. He challenged the traditional doctrine that learning consisted entirely of reading ancient texts and absorbing religious dogmas. He maintained that understanding the world required observation. He encouraged people to think for themselves. He urged that reason be the guide. He warned that without reason, "men's opinions are not the product of any judgment or the consequence of reason but the effects of chance and hazard, of a mind floating at all adventures, without choice and without direction." This book became one of the most widely reprinted and influential works on philosophy.

In 1693, Locke published Some Thoughts Concerning Education, which offered many ideas as revolutionary now as they were then. Thomas Hobbes had insisted that education should promote submission to authority, but Locke declared education is for liberty. Locke believed that setting a personal example is the most effective way to teach moral standards and fundamental skills, which is why he recommended homeschooling. He objected to government schools. He urged parents to nurture the unique genius of each child.



Ironically, the two Treatises caused hardly a stir during his life. A few decades later on the other hand, they helped inspire a Revolution whose ripple effect was felt around the world. His most famous writings, A Letter Concerning Toleration and Second Treatise of Government, both heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson. Many believe much of the most memorable language of the Declaration of Independence is derived from Locke's works. The entire Declaration has been said to have "Succeeded admirably in condensing Locke's fundamental argument into a few hundred words."  One can most notably see Locke's influence in the Declaration's references to "inalienable rights" and "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." However, Locke's influence can be seen throughout the Declaration of Independence.



Sir Francis Masham and his wife, Damaris, had invited Locke to spend his last years at Oates, their red brick Gothic-style manor house in North Essex, about 25 miles from London. He had a ground-floor bedroom and an adjoining study with most of his 5,000-volume library. He insisted on paying: a pound per week for his servant and himself, plus a shilling a week for his horse.

Locke gradually became infirm. He lost most of his hearing. His legs swelled up. By October 1704, he could hardly arise to dress. He broke out in sweats. Around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Saturday, October 28, Locke was sitting in his study with Lady Masham. Suddenly, he brought his hands to his face, shut his eyes, and died. He was 72. He was buried in the High Laver churchyard.

   

John Locke's "Second Treatise of Government" is widely available in print and electronic formats.

Sources:

"How John Locke Influenced the Declaration of Independence" - by Brenée Goforth, John Locke Foundation

"John Locke: Natural Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property" by Jim Powell, Foundation for Economic Freedom

[Ghostring]

HUZZAH!! HUZZAH!! HUZZAH!!

[dond]

Thank you Mrs. Smith. This is so good to know.