(I make Good-Nature first, as it deserves to be--it is
a splendid resultant of all the rest, like health or fine weather.)
Essentially these lead the inherent list of the high average personal
born and bred qualities of the young fellows everywhere through the
United States, as any sharp observer can find out for himself. Surely
these make the vertebral stock of superbest and noblest nations! May
the destinies show it so forthcoming. I mainly confide the whole
future of our Commonwealth to the fact of these three bases. Need
I say I demand the same in the elements and spirit and fruitage of
National Literature?
Another, perhaps a born root or branch, comes under the words
_Noblesse Oblige_, even for a national rule or motto. My opinion is
that this foregoing phrase, and its spirit, should influence and
permeate official America and its representatives in Congress,
the Executive Departments, the Presidency, and the individual
States--should be one of their chiefest mottoes, and be carried out
practically. (I got the idea from my dear friend the democratic
Englishwoman, Mrs. Anne Gilchrist, now dead. "The beautiful words
_Noblesse Oblige_," said she to me once, "are not best for some
develop'd gentleman or lord, but some rich and develop'd nation--and
especially for your America.")
Then another and very grave point (for this discussion is deep,
deep--not for trifles, or pretty seemings.) I am not sure but the
establish'd and old (and superb and profound, and, one may say, needed
as old) conception of Deity as mainly of moral constituency (goodness,
purity, sinlessness, &c.
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