endeavored in this humble work to add my contribution, small
though it may be, to political science, and to discharge, as far
as I am able, my debt of loyalty and patriotism. I would the
book were more of a book, more worthy of my countrymen, and a
more weighty proof of the love I beat them, and with which I have
written it. All I can say is, that it is an honest book, a
sincere book, and contains my best thoughts on the subjects
treated. If well received, I shall be grateful; if neglected, I
shall endeavor to practise resignation, as I have so often done.


O. A. BROWNSON.

ELIZABETH, N. J., September 16, 1865.





CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION


The ancients summed up the whole of human wisdom in the maxim,
Know Thyself, and certainly there is for an individual no more
important as there is no more difficult knowledge, than knowledge
of himself, whence he comes, whither he goes, what he is, what he
is for, what he can do, what he ought to do, and what are his
means of doing it.