Considerations on some of the elements and conditions of social welfare and human progress

Front matter

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Preface

The pieces contained in this volume are now collected and published at the request of many of my friends, particularly among my former pupils, attendants on my lectures in the New York University. . The title under which they appear, has been given them as being a sufficiently appropriate indication of their general scope and purport. The reader will find some repetitions — naturally enough occurring in pieces written at intervals during so long a period on topics so nearly related. I have not thought it worth while to attempt retrenching them, because in most cases it could scarcely be done without detriment to the context where they

VI PREFACE. *

occur. I have therefore let them stand as they were.

This volume contains some things not quite in unison with the tone of popular opinion — particularly in relation to the working of our political institutions and to our future fortunes as a nation. On these topics the utterance of honest censure and prophetic warning is not only unacceptable, but quite likely to subject one to odium, as wanting in patriotism. But who is the better lover of his country, he who lulls the people with soft strains of pleasing adulation, and kindles their fancy with bright pictures of future greatness and glory ; or he who tells them of the rocks and dangers that are around them, and of the conditions on which their safety depends ? I profess to love my country as much as any man that breathes ; but I do not think the best way to show it is by perpetual eulogies on our superiority as a nation. I desire for my country a glorious future ; no man can more fervently pray for it ; but I do not think the best way to make it sure is to be forever casting brilliant horoscopes, without a single suggestion of the possibilities of disaster and defeat. At all events

PREFACE. Vll

there are enough to flatter our self-love ; let one faithful friend be permitted to point out our faults. There are enough to cry peace and safety ; let one voice of warning be tolerated. If there is any thing unsound in the principles and doctrines I have propounded ; any thing erroneous in the conditions of social and political salvation I have laid down as indispensable ; any thing false or overdrawn in the evils I have sketched ; any thing unreal in the dangers I have pointed out, let it be shown and no man can be more ready to acknowledge it than I shall be.

As to the rest, these discussions touch upon the greatest problems of human thought, and embrace questions of the highest scientific and practical interest ; and I cannot but hope they will be regarded as worthy of the candid consideration of cultivated and thoughtful persons, whether or not they may agree with every opinion advanced.

Newbtjrgh, on the Hudson, ?

August, 1860. \

CONTENTS i.

The Importance of Elevating the Intellectual Spirit of the Nation, 1

A Discourse delivered before the Phi Sigma Nu Society of the University of Vermont, Aug. 3, 1837.

II

The Position and Duties of the Educated Men of the Country, 63 A Discourse delivered before the Literary Societies of Geneva College, Aug. 5, 1840.

III. The True Idea of the University, and its Relation to a complete

system of Public Instruction, 109

An Address to the Alumni Association of New York University, June 28, 1852.

IY.

California : the Historical Significance of its Acquisition, . 153 From the American Review, April, 1849.