He gazes with an eagle's eye over the whole of American activity; he
sees the South interested in cotton, the North concerned with its
growing factories. Steam, iron, coal, and land figure in his deductions.
He sees the country rising to power on them. And he sees men--whatever
their professions--trying to advance their own interests. Hence he
laughs down these queer political and religious groups; and while he
deplores the death of Lovejoy, he takes it as a matter of course; the
wringing of the nose brings forth blood. He is kindly and most loyal,
fearless, clear-minded, and powerful; but he is unmoral. He sees the
play of life. He sees the stronger getting more, Texas coming eventually
to the United States, though blood be shed. The drift of things is
impelled by great forces of ancient and world-wide origin. He believes
with all his soul in the superiority of the white race, and that it must
rule. At the same time Democracy is the thing, but Democracy let loose
only after the philosophical channels have been cut. Notwithstanding his
laughter at Mormonism, for example, he would not suppress it. He would
let it work out its own fate. Free thought and free speech will kill it,
or it will survive in spite of them because of its inherent strength, if
at all. All together Douglas is very admirable to me.
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