The Exhibit of Documents

Abstract

A FEW months ago Edward Bennett Williams, one of our most distinguished trial attorneys, remarked that our American Government was one of laws while that of the Soviets was one of men.Mr. Williams stated that he had always felt that the difference between the two systems was dramatically symbolized by the fact that in Moscow they keep the corpse of Lenin under glass, while in Washington in our National Archives we keep the Constitution and the Bill of Rights under glass.All of us, either as archivists or curators of manuscripts, are concerned with preserving a record of our heritage.This heritage may be national, State, or local-public or private.All of us are interested in sharing this heritage not only with those who use the records for the information in them but also with those who have an interest and pride in their heritage.The National Archives is indeed fortunate to be the custodian for all the American people of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.The permanent display of these three great charters of American freedom has served as an inspiration for many millions of people.Busloads of school children and tourists clad in shorts may block entrances and exits, but the word archives does become for them not just a word buried in Webster's dictionary but a part of their active vocabulary.The scholar and the elementary school pupil alike may learn something about history simply by examining, for example, the Declaration of Independence and the related documents on exhibit.Let me give two illustrations of this.Many of us learned a story in school for which there is really no documentation.When John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence he is supposed to have said that he signed it in letters so large that George in would not have to put on his glasses to read it.Charles and Mary Beard have perpetuated the legend by stating that "John Hancock's name headed the list of signers on the Declaration; and it •Paper read on Oct.

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