Transcriber's Note: The following Table of Contents has been added for the convenience of the reader.
THE NOBILITY OF NATURE.
EMBLEMS.
STANZAS.
NOTES OF A SURGEON.
THE ANNIVERSARY.
LOVE AND REASON.
AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES.
VIVE LA BAGATELLE.
THE BACKWOODS.
THE SOUL.
RELIGIOUS CHARLATANRY.
STANZAS.
RANDOM PASSAGES
THE WAVES.
OLLAPODIANA.
TO THE NEW MOON.
LITERARY NOTICES.
EDITORS' TABLE.
LITERARY RECORD.
Vol. X. AUGUST, 1837. No. 2.
It has been asserted that all men are created equal. The learnedhave been called upon to support the declaration, and to furnishreasons accounting for the disparity which is manifest in the differentindividuals of the human race, as found in the social state. Thelearned have responded to this call, and said, that it is apparent, thatdifferent nations, as well as individuals of the same race, are surroundedby different circumstances, and enjoy unequal means of improvement;and as their external condition is unequal, it is but reasonable to infer,in the absence of any other known cause, that their intellectual disparityis mainly attributable to external circumstances. Now if itcan be made to appear, as I think it can, that the difference in theexternal condition of men and nations is mainly attributable to theirmental organization, it will be obvious that the learned, who haveundertaken to solve this question, have been so unphilosophical as tosubstitute the effect for the cause.
But the many have contented themselves with the response of thelearned; and are now looking forward with eager hope to the timewhen the vexatious differences in the external circumstances of menshall cease, and an intellectual level shall be fixed for the wholehuman family, upon which the Esquimaux and the European, to theirmutual astonishment, shall find occasion to regard each other as equals.They delight in the expectation of beholding the Chinese standingupon the same eminence as the countrymen of Newton; worshippersof Juggernaut elevated to the altars of the true Deity, and of seeingthe unhappy and debased African endowed with the same intellectualstrength as his gifted and proud oppressor. Thus they pleasantlyanticipate, that upon men's external condition becoming equal, theirintellects and sentiments will immediately exhibit their native equality,and that the odious distinctions which now exist among men, will beknown no more for ever.
But may we not as reasonably expect, that the benefit of this newarrangement will not be confined to man alone,