Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- List of Figures
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Thematic Connections
- Chapter One Charlotte Temple, A Tale of Truth (1791), entire work
- Chapter Two The Life of Washington; with Curious Anecdotes, Equally Honorable to Himself and Exemplary to His Young Countrymen (1800), selections
- Chapter Three American Tract Society, entire works (1825–Present)
- Chapter Four Awful Disclosures, by Maria Monk, of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal (1836), selections
- Chapter Five The Illustrated Self- Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology (1840), selections
- Chapter Six A Treatise on Domestic Economy for the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School (1841), selections
- Chapter Seven The Quaker City: Or, The Monks of Monk Hall A Romance of Philadelphia Life, Mystery, and Crime (1845), selections
- Chapter Eight Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie (1847), entire work
- Chapter Nine Reveries of a Bachelor: Or, A Book of the Heart (1850), selections
- Chapter Ten Uncle Tom's Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly (1852), selections
- Chapter Eleven Ten Nights in a Bar- Room, and What I Saw There (1854), entire work
- Chapter Twelve Malaeska; The Indian Wife of the White Hunter (1860), entire work
- Chapter Thirteen Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot- Blacks (1868), entire work
- Chapter Fourteen Little Women, or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy (1868), selections
- Chapter Fifteen The Gates Ajar (1868), entire work
- Chapter Sixteen The Luck of Roaring Camp (1868), entire work John Jenkins, Or, the Smoker Reformed (1871), entire work
- Chapter Seventeen Ben- Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880), selections
- Chapter Eighteen The Hidden Hand: or, Capitola the Madcap (1888), selections
- Chapter Nineteen In His Steps. “What Would Jesus Do” (1896), selections
Chapter Six - A Treatise on Domestic Economy for the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School (1841), selections
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- List of Figures
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Thematic Connections
- Chapter One Charlotte Temple, A Tale of Truth (1791), entire work
- Chapter Two The Life of Washington; with Curious Anecdotes, Equally Honorable to Himself and Exemplary to His Young Countrymen (1800), selections
- Chapter Three American Tract Society, entire works (1825–Present)
- Chapter Four Awful Disclosures, by Maria Monk, of the Hotel Dieu Nunnery of Montreal (1836), selections
- Chapter Five The Illustrated Self- Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology (1840), selections
- Chapter Six A Treatise on Domestic Economy for the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School (1841), selections
- Chapter Seven The Quaker City: Or, The Monks of Monk Hall A Romance of Philadelphia Life, Mystery, and Crime (1845), selections
- Chapter Eight Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie (1847), entire work
- Chapter Nine Reveries of a Bachelor: Or, A Book of the Heart (1850), selections
- Chapter Ten Uncle Tom's Cabin; Or, Life Among the Lowly (1852), selections
- Chapter Eleven Ten Nights in a Bar- Room, and What I Saw There (1854), entire work
- Chapter Twelve Malaeska; The Indian Wife of the White Hunter (1860), entire work
- Chapter Thirteen Ragged Dick; or, Street Life in New York with the Boot- Blacks (1868), entire work
- Chapter Fourteen Little Women, or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy (1868), selections
- Chapter Fifteen The Gates Ajar (1868), entire work
- Chapter Sixteen The Luck of Roaring Camp (1868), entire work John Jenkins, Or, the Smoker Reformed (1871), entire work
- Chapter Seventeen Ben- Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1880), selections
- Chapter Eighteen The Hidden Hand: or, Capitola the Madcap (1888), selections
- Chapter Nineteen In His Steps. “What Would Jesus Do” (1896), selections
Summary
Chapter I
The Peculiar Responsibilities of American Women
American Women should feel a peculiar interest in Democratic Institutions. The maxim of our Civil Institutions. Its identity with the main principle of Christianity. Relations involving subordination; why they are needful. Examples. How these relations are decided in a Democracy. What decides the Equity of any Law or Institution. The principle of Aristocracy. The tendency of Democracy in respect to the interests of Women. Illustrated in the United States. Testimony of De Tocqueville. In what respects are Women subordinate? and why? Wherein are they equal or superior in influence? and how are they placed by courtesy? How can American Women rectify any real disadvantages involved in our Civil Institutions? Opinion of De Tocqueville as to the influence and example of American Democracy. Responsibilities involved in this view, especially those of American Women.
There are some reasons why American women should feel an interest in the support of the democratic institutions of their Country, which it is important that they should consider. The great maxim, which is the basis of all our civil and political institutions, is, that “all men are created equal,” and that they are equally entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
But it can readily be seen, that this is only another mode of expressing the fundamental principle which the Great Ruler of the Universe has established, as the law of His eternal government. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;” and “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” These are the Scripture forms, by which the Supreme Lawgiver requires that each individual of our race shall regard the happiness of others, as of the same value as his own; and which forbids any institution, in private or civil life, which secures advantages to one class, by sacrificing the interests of another.
The principles of democracy, then, are identical with the principles of Christianity.
But, in order that each individual may pursue and secure the highest degree of happiness within his reach, unimpeded by the selfish interests of others, a system of laws must be established, which sustain certain relations and dependencies in social and civil life.
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- Bestsellers in Nineteenth-Century AmericaAn Anthology, pp. 177 - 192Publisher: Anthem PressPrint publication year: 2016