PREFACE.


In the volume which, with much diffidence, is here offered to the
public, I have given, as far as I have considered it worth giving,
my whole thought in a connected form on the nature, necessity,
extent, authority, origin, ground, and constitution of government,
and the unity, nationality, constitution, tendencies, and destiny
of the American Republic. Many of the points treated have been
from time to time discussed or touched upon, and many of the views
have been presented, in my previous writings; but this work is
newly and independently written from beginning to end, and is as
complete on the topics treated as I have been able to make it.

I have taken nothing bodily from my previous essays, but I have
used their thoughts as far as I have judged them sound and they
came within the scope of my present work. I have not felt myself
bound to adhere to my own past thoughts or expressions any farther
than they coincide with my present convictions, and I have written
as freely and as independently as if I had never written or
published any thing before. I have never been the slave of my
own past, and truth has always been dearer to me than my own
opinions. This work is not only my latest, but will be my last
on politics or government, and must be taken as the authentic,
and the only authentic statement of my political views and
convictions, and whatever in any of my previous writings conflicts
with the principles defended in its pages, must be regarded as
retracted, and rejected.