Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ...Revolution, many of the best men in the nation were the best born, the best educated, and held the largest estates. More than one illustrious name that shines in the history of European liberty, and stood boldly forward in the front rank of battle and freedom, is associated with chivalry. Henry Quatre was a royal Prince. Cromwell, and Hampden, and Russell, the Strozzi, the Capponi, the Ruccellai, and the first of the Medici, in Florence, are familiar to our childhood's ears, and many of them were the brightest of the middle ages, and they have left names associated with all that is brave in chivalry, and generous in patriotism. We should feel that the rank or the wealth of our citizens ought to give them no title to consideration above their fellow-countrymen, unless they are superior to them in those qualities that illuminate and purify the world. Let the man who has rendered the greatest services to the nation, whoever he may be, receive the highest tokens of the nation's gratitude. Let those who seek for place, and station, and emolument, know, that nothing but real merit can be rewarded by governmental patronage, and the curious old Roman, who had no particular fondness for such things, left a very amusing account of these Auctions of Aristocratic effects in Rome. OUR HOPE IN THE PEOPLE. 123 struggle for office, which now becomes a periodical crusade on the election of any President, will cease, and no man will ask for place but those who have real claims for consideration. If an office is to be given of a diplomatic kind, let it be conferred upon a man who has already distinguished himself in a similar subordinate station, by fidelity, ability, and address. We have such men. John Quincy Adams was trained up a diplomatist, and few...