ll rising intellectually,
and yet there are no signs of starvation, nor are we becoming the
poorest people on earth. By far the most interesting view of this
country is the condition of the working multitude. Nothing among us
deserves the attention of the traveller so much as the force of thought
and character, and the self-respect awakened by our history and
institutions in the mass of the people. Our prosperous classes are
much like the same classes abroad, though, as we hope, of purer morals;
but the great working multitude leave far behind them the laborers of
other countries. No man of observation and benevolence can converse
with them without being struck and delighted with the signs they give
of strong and sound intellect and manly principle. And who is
authorized to set bounds to this progress? In improvement the first
steps are the hardest. The difficulty is to wake up men's souls, not
to continue their action. Every accession of light and strength is a
help to new acquisitions.

Another consideration, in reply to the objection, is, that as yet no
community has seriously set itself to the work of improving all its
members, so that what is possible remains to be ascertained. No
experiment has been made to determine how far liberal provision can be
made at once for the body and mind of the laborer. The highest social
art is yet in its infancy. Great minds have nowhere solemnly,
earnestly undertaken to resolve the problem, how the multitude of men
may be elevated. The trial is to come. Still more, the multitude have
nowhere comprehended distinctly the true idea of progress, and resolved
deliberately and solemnly to reduce it to reality. This great thought,
however, is gradually opening on them, and it is destined to work
wonders. From themselves their salvation must chiefly come. Little
can be done for them by others, till a spring is touched in their own
breasts; and this being done, they cannot fail. The people, as history
shows us, can accomplish miracles under the power of a great idea. How
much have they often done and suffered in critical moments for country,
for religion! The great idea of their own elevation is only beginning
to unfold itself within them, and its energy is not to be foretold. A
lofty conception of this kind, were it once distinctly seized, would be
a new life breathed into them. Under this impulse they would create
time and strength for their high calling, and would no