Synopses & Reviews
When The American Democrat was first published in 1838, Cooper's position as America's first major novelist obscured his serious contribution to the discussion of American principles and politics.
Yet Cooper," says H. L. Mencken, "was probably the first American to write about Americans in the really frank spirit . . . a simple, sound and sensible tract, moderate in tone and extraordinarily astute in its conclusions."
Cooper provides a concise statement of the principles of American democracy and of its social ramifications. He was concerned that these principles and our institutions would be perverted--especially by the confusion of an equality of rights with equality of condition.
Synopsis
When The American Democrat was first published in 1838, Cooper's position as America's first major novelist obscured his serious contribution to the discussion of American principles and politics.
Table of Contents
Introduction by H. L. Mencken ix
Author’s Preface xxiiiOn Government 1
On Republics 9
On the Republick of the United States of America 12
On Distinctive American Principles 25
On the Powers of the Executive 36
On Equality 45
On American Equality 49
On Liberty 55
On the Advantages of a Monarchy 66
On the Advantages of an Aristocracy 67
Advantages of a Democracy 70
On the Disadvantages of a Monarchy 74
On the Disadvantages of Aristocracy 76
On the Disadvantages of Democracy 80
On Prejudice 87
On Station 91
On the Duties of Station 100
On the Duties of Publick or Political Station 100
On the Private Duties of Station 105
An Aristocrat and a Democrat 115
On Demagogues 120
On Representation 128
On Candor 143
On Language 146
On the Press 155
On the Liberty of the Press 158
On the American Press 160
On Property 169
On Universal Suffrage 177
On the Publick 183
On Deportment 190
On American Deportment 191
On Publick Opinion 197
On Civilization 205
On the Right of Petition 209
On Commerce 212
On the Circulating Medium 216
On Slavery 219
On American Slavery 221
On Slavery in the District of Columbia 224
On Party 226
On Individuality 231
“They Say” 233
Rumour 234
On Religion 236 Conclusion 240
Index 245
Biographical Note 252