Knowledge is power, when wisely applied; and a more accurate acquaintance with their government and it's history will enable American citizens to mold it more wisely still, to correct all defects of administration, and to speedily reach that minimum of governmental interference with the efforts and interests of the citizens which shall give them the fullest liberty consistent with security and surrender the whole round of human life, as completely as possible to the beneficient action of natural law.

-The Footprints of Time by Charles Bancroft 1879