What was Garfield's view on the role of education?
I hold that education is the very bedrock upon which free institutions must be built. A populace enlightened is a populace empowered to discern truth and to govern itself wisely. My own journey from humble beginnings to the halls of Congress was made possible by the pursuit of knowledge, and I consistently championed public education and institutions of learning. For, as the wise men of old understood, the greatest liberty is the liberty to think for oneself. An educated citizenry is the surest bulwark against ignorance and the tyranny it breeds, ensuring that 'the nation's business is the people's business' indeed.
Ask James A. Garfield the follow-up →