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Entered according to the act of Congress, in the year 1841, BY WARREN BLAKE,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

WORCESTER:

SPOONER AND HOWLAND, PRINTERS.

PREFACE.

I submit this Political Text Book to my fellow-citizens, with no ordinary feelings of diffidence. The subjects it embraces, and the objects it has in view, are of inexpres sible magnitude. No one can be ignorant of the vast importance of instilling into the minds of the rising generation, the sentiments and principles contained in a book like this. Perhaps it may be needless to say, the work is not intended to serve the unhallowed purposes of party triumph, but for the service of Truth, If I cherished the thought that the tendency of this compilation would be to keep alive the present strife of the contending parties of our beloved country, I should unhesitatingly consign it to the flames.

But how can peace, or harmony, or conciliation, be hoped for, while both parties clothe themselves in the deceptious mantle of self-righteousness-while they not only believe themselves immaculate, but their opponents "monsters unredeemed by any virtue." Nothing but a serious, solemn and deep-rooted conviction on both sides, of egregious misconduct, can lead to that temper of mind which is necessary to produce a mild conciliating spirit. While both parties act the part of the self approving Pha

risee, we might with equal chance of success attempt to unite fire and water-light and darkness-virtue and vice, as to unite them. But when both regard themselves in their true light, as offenders against their duties to their country, they will be disposed to forgive that they may be forgiven.

If unremitting labor and an earnest desire to produce a truly useful book, could bespeak for me the unqualified favor of the public, I might feel some degree of confidence that a fair portion of that favor would be awarded

to me.

As however the labor of an author, or a compiler, and his good intentions, are seldom much appreciated, I must rely wholly upon the merits of the work for the approbation of those whose favor I solicit.

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