John
L. O'Sullivan on Manifest Destiny, 1839 (complete text)We must
onward to the fulfillment of our mission--to the entire development of the
principle of our organization--freedom of conscience, freedom of person, freedom
of trade and business pursuits, universality of freedom and equality. This is
our high destiny, and in nature's eternal, inevitable decree of cause and effect
we must accomplish it. All this will be our future history, to establish on
earth the moral dignity and salvation of man--the immutable truth and
beneficence of God. For this blessed mission to the nations of the world, which
are shut out from the life-giving light of truth, has America been chosen; and
her high example shall smite unto death the tyranny of kings, hierarchs, and
oligarchs, and carry the glad tidings of peace and good will where myriads now
endure an existence scarcely more enviable than that of beasts of the field.
Who, then, can doubt that our country is destined to be the great nation of
futurity?
John L. O'Sullivan on Manifest
Destiny, 1839
John
L. O'Sullivan on Manifest Destiny, 1839 (complete text)
Census
of Overland Emigrant Documents