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to the development of this lofty ideal. But I hope that, for the honor of mankind, very few people can be found, who, for petty and insufficient reasons, would block the road to an invention so pregnant with fateful results to the entire globe.
If objections exist to the mould in which I have cast the International Language, I trust that I shall be fully apprised of them; it is the duty of all persons, of all ages, conditions, sexes, to contribute thus towards its success, as the filling up of one of my blanks will take but a few seconds of time, and the expense of a letter to me can be but a mere trifle.
For those into whose hands this work may fall, there can be no excuse for a failure to respond to my reasonings, whether by adhesion to my plan, or by contradictory arguments; no one can avail himself by the excuse, “I did not know” of its importance. I therefore respectfully ask that editors shall give my ideas the utmost publicity, and that the general public shall know my claims. ********** Such is the general notion of my invention, and I am far from believing that it is perfect that it cannot be surpassed, amended or improved; but, according to my idea, it is the best form of an International Tongue, and I delayed until I had satisfactorily solved the three problems, before I presented it to the public judgment. I am but a mortal, and may easily fall into error, even an unpardonnble one; I might omit some element of most extreme importance or advantage. I have, therefore, decided, before publishing a complete dictionary, issuing a newspaper, etc, to submit, for the space of one year, my plans to the world at large, in the hope that men of letters would give me their views upon my proposal—sending me in writing their objections, if any, and their suggestions for its amelioration. I shall be very grateful for such action, accepting with gratitude all suggestions, and utilizing such as may
