Herbert Croly Quotes & Sayings (Page 2)

“The adoption by Jefferson and the Republicans of the political structure of their opponents is of an importance hardly inferior to that of the adoption of the Constitution by the states.”

“The higher American patriotism, on the other hand, combines loyalty to historical tradition and precedent with the imaginative projection of an ideal national Promise.”

“Democracy may mean something more than a theoretically absolute popular government, but it assuredly cannot mean anything less.”

“Had it not been for the Atlantic Ocean and the virgin wilderness, the United States would never have been the Land of Promise.”

“In Jefferson's mind democracy was tantamount to extreme individualism.”

“The Constitution was the expression not only of a political faith, but also of political fears. It was wrought both as the organ of the national interest and as the bulwark of certain individual and local rights.”

“The first phase of American political history was characterized by the conflict between the Federalists and the Republicans, and it resulted in the complete triumph of the latter.”

“Unless the great majority of Americans not only have, but believe they have, a fair chance, the better American future will be dangerously compromised.”

“When the Promise of American life is conceived as a national ideal, whose fulfillment is a matter of artful and laborious work, the effect thereof is substantially to identify the national purpose with the social problem.”

“To the European immigrant - that is, to the aliens who have been converted into Americans by the advantages of American life - the Promise of America has consisted largely in the opportunity which it offered of economic independence and prosperity.”