Excerpt from Our Country; Its Dangers and Its Destiny: A Desultory Poem, Pronounced Before the Allegheny Literary Society at Its Semi-Annual Celebration, September 2, 1841

I AM by no means certain that the following Poem should ever have been permitted to see the light, at least in its present form. Aside from the request of the respectable Association before which it was originally delivered, the principal reason that induces me to publish it is, my desire to dedicate it to a highly valued friend and school-mate, whose early promise of usefulness and distinction (and it was great) has been blighted by long, severe, and, ' my fears suggest, hopeless sickness. Even this reason, potent as it is, would not avail with me, could I entertain any rational expectation of soon presenting for his acceptance a more elaborate and worthier work; but, inclination aside, the nature of my every day duties is such as to render it morally certain that I shall give no new volume to the public for many years - probably never.

For the fate of this thin pamphlet, I'have neither anxiety nor apprehension. Let the critics do to it as seemeth good in their sight. It is lawful game for them - and dull must that reviewer be, and singularly free from opinions upon contro verted questions, who cannot find in its pages something to condemn. That there is some poetry in it, prejudice alone will deny - that many of its passages are little better than un mitigated prose, the candid will unhesitatingly admit. It was written hurriedly, at intervals snatched from more pressing engagements; and the limited time allowed for its completion.

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