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By
CHARLES RAMSDELL LINGLEY
Professor of History, Dartmouth College.
1920.
To write an account of the history of the United States since theCivil War without bias, without misstatements of fact and without theomission of matters that ought to be included, would be to perform amiracle. I have felt no wonder-working near me. I can claim only tohave attempted to overcome the natural limitations of having beenbrought up in a particular region and with a traditional political,economic and social philosophy. I have tried to present as many sidesof every question as the limitations of space permitted and to looksympathetically upon every section, every party and every individual,because the sympathetic critic seems to me most likely to discover thetruth.
It used to be believed that history could not be written until atleast half a century had elapsed after the events which were to bechronicled. It is of course true that only after the lapse of timecan students gain access to ample documentary material, rid themselvesof partisan prejudice and attain the necessary perspective. Unhappily,however, the citizen who takes part in public affairs or who votes ina political campaign cannot wait for the labors of half a century. Hemust judge on the basis of whatever facts he can find near at hand.Next to a balanced intelligence, the greatest need of the citizen inthe performance of his political duties is a substantial knowledgeof the recent past of public problems. It is impossible to give asensible opinion upon the transportation problem, the relation betweengovernment and industry, international relations, current politics, theleaders in public affairs, and other peculiarly American interestswithout some understanding of the United States since the Civil War. Ihave tried in a small way to make some of this information convenientlyavailable without attempting to beguile myself or others into thebelief that I have written with the accuracy that will characterizelater work.
Some day somebody will delineate the spiritual history of Americasince the Civil War—the compound of tradition, discontent,aspiration, idealism, materialism, selfishness, and hope that mark thefloundering progress of these United States through the last halfcentury. He will read widely, ponder deeply, and tune his spirit withcare to the task which he undertakes. I have not attempted this phaseof our history, yet I believe that no account is complete without it.
I have drawn heavily on others who have written in this field—Andrews,Beard, Paxson and Peck, and especially on the volumes written for theAmerican Nation series by Professors Dunning, Sparks, Dewey, Latanéand Ogg. Haworth's United States in Our Own Time, 1865-1920, wasunfortunately printed too late to give me the benefit of the author'swell-known scholarship. Many friends have generously assisted me. Mycolleagues, Professors F.A. Updyke, C.A. Phillips, G.R. Wicker, H.D.Dozier, and Malcolm Keir have read the manuscript of individualchapters. Professor E.E. Day of Harvard University gave me his counselon several economic topics. Professor George H. Haynes of the WorcesterPolytechnic Institute, Professor B.B. Kendrick of Columbia University,Professor W.T. Root of the University of Wisconsin, and Professors L.B.Richardson a