header by Emerson Taymor, 2005
2. The Revolutionary Era: 1763-1789 3. The Early National Period: 1789-1824 4. Jacksonian America: 1824-1848 5. Antebellum America: 1848-1860 6. The Civil War Era: 1861-1877 9. The Twenties 10. Depression and New Deal: 1929-1939 14. The Sixties
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Benjamin Franklin, letter, 1758 A Man of Words, and not of Deeds, 'Tis pity that Good Works among some sorts of people are so little Valued, and Good Words admired in their Stead; I mean seemingly Pious Discourses instead of Humane Benevolent Actions. These they almost put out of countenance, by calling Morality rotten Morality; Righteousness, ragged Rigteousness and even flithy Rags; and when you mention Virtue, they pucker up their Noses as if they smelt a Stink; at the same time that they eagerly snuff up an empty canting Harangue as if it was a Posie of the Choicest Flowers. So they have inverted the good old Verse, and say now A Man of Deeds and not of Words I have forgot the Rhime, but remember 'tis something the very Reverse of a Perfume. |