Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker volume 6.djvu/56

Rh tinent, now for the first time married to the civilized world. Various races of men mingle their blood—Indians, Africans, Caucasians ; various tribes—Celtic Irish, Welsh, Scotch, Anglo-Saxon, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, German, Polish, Swiss, French, Spanish; all these are here. Each will contribute its best to the general stock. Democratic institutions and Democratic education will give an intellectual development to the mass of men such as the world never saw. There is no fear of war; the army and the navy do not number thirty thousand men. The energies of the nation will be directed to their natural work—subduing material Nature, and developing human Nature into its higher forms. Now we are excessively material in our tastes—one day if this great obstacle be overcome, America will be eminent also for science, letters, art, and for the noblest virtues which adorn mankind. No nation had ever so fair an opportunity—shall we be false to our origin, and the heart's high hope P Humanity says, "No!"