Twilight of the Republic: Empire and Exceptionalism in the American Political Tradition

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Copyright © 2013 by The University Press of Kentucky Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. All rights reserved. Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 www.kentuckypress.com 17 16 15 14 13 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Litke, Justin B., 1984Twilight of the republic : empire and exceptionalism in the American political tradition / Justin B. Litke. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN978-0-8131-4220-3(hardcover:alk.paper)—ISBN978-0-8131-4222-7(epub) — ISBN 978-0-8131-4221-0 (pdf) 1. Exceptionalism—United States—History. 2. National characteristics, American—History. 3. Political culture—United States—History. I. Title. E169.1.L56 2013 306.20973—dc23 2013010407 This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials. Manufactured in the United States of America. Member of the Association of American University Presses To Sarah He hath not dealt so with every nation, neither have they known his judgments. —Psalm 147:20 No more can I think of Port William and the United States in the same thought. A nation is an idea, and Port William is not. Maybe there is no live connection between a little place and a big idea. I think there is not. —Jayber Crow What you have as heritage, Take now as task; For thus you will make it your own! —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ...