Considerations on some of the elements and conditions of social welfare and human progress being academic and occasional discourses and other pieces (D. Appleton and Co., 1861)
The importance of elevating the intellectual spirit of the nation.--The position and duties of the educated men of the country.--The true idea of the university, and its relation to a complete system of public instruction.--California: the historical significance of its acquisition.--The providence of God the genius of human history.--Young America: the true idea of progress.--The destination of the human race.--Remarks on Mr. Bancroft's oration on human progress.--President making: three letters to the Hon. Josiah Quincy.--Politics and the pulpit.--Appendix: Corruption, violence, and abuse of suffrage
"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. 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? 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"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)