'The nation that is growing mechanical is hastening toward its
destruction.' The proof of this assertion is written everywhere in
history. The limits of this article render it impossible that a tithe of
the proof should be brought forward in its support, and therefore only
the most general truths can be laid down for the reader to verify from
his own historical knowledge. No fact is more indisputable than that
every preceding civilization has had its birth, progress, and death,
differing only in length from the life of a mortal man; and in the state
of each one, in proportion as this mechanical tendency increased, in
that proportion their national life departed.

The first period in every nation has been that called the heroic or
golden age. Whether this was, in reality, or only in poetic dream, the
best age, depends upon another question: What is the true aim in the
life of men and nations? If it be but to live comfortably and without
confusion, then the architecture and laws of later times are a proof of
progress; but if the great end be to develop the whole man, and live a
brave, thoughtful, truthful life, with or without tumult, then is the
first the golden age; for, entering on a new mode of life, undirected by
habits of thought or action from his ancestors, each man makes use of
his personal thought in finding out, and volition in choosing, his
method of life. No history has recorded the internal state of such a
nation, but only the fact that it has always been successful in
preserving its liberties against invasion.

The next is the age of leaders, when individual thought has so far
departed that they begin to look to others not yet as governors, but
directors. This, to a superficial view the noblest age, marks the
beginning of a decline. Its great power of invasion, as under Pericles
or Caesar, comes from the fact that, while strength enough is left to
carry out the details, there is not enough of independence in thought to
mar the unity in the plan of its leader. Its brilliant literature
springs from division of labor; life has become so complex that each man
cannot comprehend it all--so one takes the department of thought,
another of action. The man of thought tries to bring back that courage
and virtue which he sees are departing, by singing beautiful songs in
their praise; while the man of action, feeling their waning power in
himself, makes up, by repeating these praises, the lack of a heroic
life.

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