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National Character.

intended to make this a National Cyclopedia which shall represent the entire
Republic, and reflect the spirit, genius, and life of every section. The editor has endeavored in all instances to obtain the cooperation of the most competent students of special periods or departments of history, and he has the assistance of scholarly and experienced associates.

Best Writers of the Country.

Many articles of importance are contributed by some of the most brilliant names in American literature, as well as by many of our most illustrious statesmen, soldiers and jurists. Much valuable material is obtained from original sources, and in the case of recent lives, and those "men of light and leading" who are still with us,
important aid is afforded by the friends and relatives of the subjects.

Right to be Fairly Represented.

Every man has the rigth fully and fairly to disclose himself, his past life, his aspirations, efforts, successes, and failures, and to explain intentions, correct errors, and have a clean, straightforward, and honorable record transcribed to the pages of biography, where it will remain forever the pride and honor of the family, and a benefit to mankind. How different is this from the unrecorded life, which must ever be, even to family and friends, half-known, ill understood, harshly judged, and all from an unfortunate neglect of proper explanation. Nor

Not Egotism.

can this be called egotism; it is a high above vulgar conceit, as healthy self-respect is above empty boasting. No one ever did a manly work without having a manly pride in it, and it is this some noble sentiment which actuates him in giving to others the benefits of his experiences. Title to this distinction is not determined by money or morality, but rather by what the person has accomplished. It is rather what a man does than what he is that stimulates progress.

What Advances Civilization.

Achievement in engineering, electricity, or mechanics; improvements in locomotives, looms, or ploughs, contribute as much to the advancement of civilization as an epic poem or an Oxford tract, and the workers of this achievement
are to be sought out and given to the world, through the pages of the National
Cyclopedia of American Biography.

Originality.

This plan has never before been adopted. It secures entire orignality, and will rescue from forgetfulness many men and women who have been important facters in American history.