Historical studies...

Preface

The following historical papers have appeared at intervals in Harper's New Monthly Magazine. I trust, notwithstanding their imperfections, that they may furnish a useful outline of the slow advance of knowledge and the decay of ecclesiastical tyranny. The chief aim of the Roman Church has been the destruction of the intellect. The chief result of the overthrow of persecution has been the rapid growth of the popular mind. It is well, therefore, to review these remarkable mental struggles by the light of republican progress. Our benefactors in the past have been, not kings, popes, or princes, but those memorable men who have lived and died for religion and knowledge. To them it has at last become customary to trace the most valuable results of modern progress. Education, intelligence, virtue, religion, have nourished in spite of the intolerance of popes and kings; and the New World, in the centennial year of freedom, turns gratefully to the heroes who died, that men might be free.