'WITHOUT CIVILIZATION AND GOVERNMENT, THE STRONG WOULD OPPRESS THE WEAK, AND, WITH THEM, AN INDUCEMENT TO EXERTION MUST BE LEFT, BY BESTOWING REWARDS ON TALENTS, INDUSTRY, AND SUCCESS"

COOPER, James Fenimore. The American Democrat, or Hints on the Social and Civic Relations of the United States of America. Cooperstown: H. & E. Phinney, 1838. Octavo, original brown cloth, original paper spine label. $1650.

First edition of the work that most clearly expresses Cooper's political opinions, in original cloth.

Originally intended as a textbook, The American Democrat is the most clear exposition of Cooper's views on politics, society and public morals. In it, Cooper claims that in a democracy, one of the great threats to public morality and governance comes from public opinion. In the course of this work, he provides fascinating discussions of a wide variety of topics, including slavery ("the time must come when American slavery shall cease"). BAL 3880.

Faint dampstain to back half of text block, toning and light wear to original cloth, a few small chips to original paper spine label. A very good copy.