2. “Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary for the welfare of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.” In this provision common schools, high schools, normal schools, and universities found their constitutional justification, and accordingly, in all the states formed from the Northwest Territory, schools of all grades have been supported by taxation. The example thus set has been followed by all the states since admitted to the Union. 3. “The navigable rivers leading into the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, and the carrying places between them, shall be common highways and forever free.” This provision secured that freedom of communication between the states which has encouraged very rapid material growth. 4. “The inhabitants shall forever enjoy religious freedom, the habeas corpus, trial by jury, and equal civil and political privileges.” This provision not only secured perfect independence of religious thought, but protected all the people, immigrants as well as others, in the enjoyment of political freedom. Though the binding authority of this ordinance was subsequently declared by the Supreme Court to have been superseded by the adoption of the Constitution, its influence on the development of the Northwest was unquestionably very great. * * * * * REFERENCES.—A. Johnston, _American Politics_, 3-18; R. Frothingham, _Rise of the Republic_, 569-610 (of great importance); J. Fiske, _Civil Government_, 180-260; F. A. Walker, _Making of the Nation_, 1-75; A. B. Hart, _Formation of the Union_, 93-140; J. Fiske, _Critical Period of American History_, 90-101 and 177-186; J. Winsor, _Narrative and Critical History of America_, Vol. VI., 716, Vol. VII.; H. Von Holst, _Constitutional History_, Vol. I.; J. Schouler, _United States_, Vol. I.; H. C. Lodge, _Washington_, Vol. II. Fiske, Schouler, and Winsor are the most important of the general authorities on almost every point. J. Bryce, _The American Commonwealth_ (abridged edition), chaps. iii., xxv., xxix., important on the various functions of different parts of the government; Elliot, _Debates on the Constitution_; Hamilton, _The Federalist_; B. A. Hinsdale, _The Old Northwest_; W. G. Sumner, _The Financier and the Finances of the American Revolution_ (2 vols.); W. P. Cutler, _Ordinance of 1787; American History Leaflets_, Nos. 7, 8, 14, 20; _Old South Leaflets_, XI., 5; T. Roosevelt, _The Winning of the West_, Vol. II., chaps. i.–iii. -----