Autumn 2020 Catalogue

15 American Heroes & Leaders Autumn 2020 “Without Civilization And Government, The Strong Would Oppress The Weak” 12. COOPER, James Fenimore. The American Democrat, or Hints on the Social and Civic Relations of the United States of America. Cooperstown, 1838. Octavo, original brown cloth. $1650. Click for more info 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 clearest 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”). 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.