416 DIFFERENCES IN 



distresses of others, and the active attempt to relieve them ; 

 which, first exerted on our nearest connexions, is extended 

 to our countrymen in general, and embraces, ultimately, in 

 its wishes and exertions, the interests of all mankind. 



The white nations alone have enjoyed free governments ; 

 that is, not the lawless dominion of mere force, as in many 

 barbarous tribes, but institutions recognizing the equality of 

 all in political rights, giving protection to the weak against 

 the powerful, securing to all equal freedom of opinion and 

 conscience, and administered according to laws framed with 

 the consent of all. The spirit of liberty, the unconquerable 

 energy of independence, the generous glow of patriotism, 

 have been known chiefly to those nobler organizations, in 

 which the cerebral hemispheres have received their full de- 

 velopement. The republics of Greece and Rome, of Italy 

 in the middle ages, of Switzerland and Holland, the limited 

 monarchy of England, and the United States of America, 

 have shewn us what the human race can effect, when ani- 

 mated by these sacred feelings ; without which nothing has 

 been achieved truly great or permanently interesting. This 

 is the charm that attaches us to the history, the laws, the 

 institutions, the literature of the free states of antiquity, and 

 that enables us to study again and again \vith fresh pleasure 

 the lives and actions of their illustrious citizens. 



Even the more absolute forms of government have been 

 conducted among the white races, with a respect to human 

 nature, with a regard to law and to private rights, quite un- 

 known to the pure despotisms, which seem to be the natu- 

 ral destiny of our dark brethren. The monstrous faith of 

 millions made for one, has never been doubted or questioned 

 in all the extensive regions occupied by human races, with 

 the anterior and superior parts of the cranium flattened and 

 compressed. 



That these dlv^ersities are the off'spring of natural differ- 

 ences, and not produced by external causes, is proved by 

 their universality, whether in respect to time, place, or ex- 

 ternal influence. 



Some have found a convenient and ready solution in 



