The Natural History of Secession; or, Despotism and Democracy at Necessary, Eternal, Exterminating War
New York: John Bradburn (Successor to M. Doolady), 1864. First Edition. Original cloth over boards. Octavo. 328 pages.
Laid into this volume is the author's handwritten letter, from Skowhegan, Maine, to "Hon. H. Hamlin"--presumably Vice-President Hannibal Hamlin, also of Maine. The purpose of the letter is to present the book to Hamlin, asking him to "not be at trouble to answer this" until he has read it.
Thomas Shepard Goodwin was an attorney and an ardent anti-secessionist. His work considers the origins of the American experiment, the rise of sectionalism, and argues that the American Civil War was the inevitable result of the struggle between democratic ideals of the Founders and the authoritarian despotism necessary to maintain the institution of slavery.
Bound in dark blue pebbled cloth over boards with gilt-stamped spine and blind-stamped rules and ornaments to both boards, pale yellow endpapers. Fine condition.
Item #1916
Price: $350