In this collection of essays, author Orville Dewey explores the moral underpinnings of various aspects of American society in the mid-19th century. From the ethics of commerce to the responsibilities of government, Dewey's discourses offer insightful and provocative perspectives on the most pressing issues of his day. Written in a clear and accessible style, this volume will be of interest to historians, students of American political thought, and anyone interested in the moral foundations of American society. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.