Man is not made for society,
but society is made for man. No institution can be good which
does not tend to improve the individual. In these principles
I have confidence so profound, that I am not afraid to trust
those who hold them, despite their partial views, imperfectly
developed characters, and frequent want of practical sagacity.
I believe, if they have opportunity to state and discuss
their opinions, they will gradually sift them, ascertain their
grounds and aims with clearness, and do the work this country
needs. I hope for them as for "the leaven that is hidden in
the bushel of meal, till all be leavened." The leaven is not
good by itself, neither is the meal; let them combine, and we
shall yet have bread.
'Utopia it is impossible to build up. At least, my hopes for
our race on this one planet are more limited than those of
most of my friends. I accept the limitations of human nature,
and believe a wise acknowledgment of them one of the best
conditions of progress. Yet every noble scheme, every poetic
manifestation, prophesies to man his eventual destiny. And
were not man ever more sanguine than facts at the moment
justify, he would remain torpid, or be sunk in sensuality.
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