THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 4I 



an error without the proud reflection that the empire which 

 looks not on the setting sun has stood for justice, freedom and 

 civiHzation, as for unconquerable force and courage ; and may 

 well challenge history to show a sovereign receiving such loving 

 loyalty from millions of subjects, such honor and esteem from 

 millions more in every quarter of the globe, as has for sixty 

 years been presented in the character of Her Majesty, Queen 

 Victoria. 



And it will be incumbent upon the American also to calmly 

 read the history of his country with a mind open to reproof, 

 correction and instruction in righteousness. And this com- 

 mendable spirit will lead him to admit that his beloved country, 

 whose Declaration of Independence proclaimed all men to have 

 been born free and equal, nursed for ages an institution, the 

 crime of which was foul and smelled to Heaven. He will be 

 obliged to confess that the country's policy toward the Indian 

 has been a dishonor ; that she has failed to keep faith with 

 China. No future historian will justify her war with Mexico, 

 The United States, of all civilized nations, refused to prohibit the 

 liquor traffic with the Congo region. And with tears and blush 

 of shame he wilL read of the treatment by a jingo Senate of a 

 proposed Arbitration Treaty which was to give the United 

 States with England the greatest opportunity in nineteen cen- 

 turies to inaugurate peace on earth and good will to men. 

 Thus honestly admitting every weakness and confessing every 

 wrong, he may still hold his citizenship as dearly as ever 

 Roman held his, and glory in that land whose history, develop- 

 ment and power all great minds extol. 



If history did no other service she may claim high honor 

 for this alone : much which seems to be distinctively modern 

 is shown to have most venerable antiquity, and by this service 

 the wise student is freed from imposition. Many an ancient 

 dame masquerades in 19th century attire. In nothing does his- 

 tory more strikingly repeat itself than in the schools of thought 

 which now and again dominate society. The most ethereal 

 system of idealism that scorns to recognize the actual being of 

 matter, and leaves to " mortal mind " servitude to material 



