The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-26


We are indebted to the eastern (Maine) Argus" for
the following article. NJ de Tocqueye is familiar to
all American politicians This article has made Us anx-
ous now to see the works OF Messs Poussn and Guizo
II is singular that the two Frenchmep who have done the
greatest justice 10 institutions and appreciated them
the best (he showing the structure OF those nsu.
tons, and the other the practical working Of the
chinery-the great improvements which have taken
place under those insttuons) shonld be the two men
who now are at points with our Secretary OF State:
From the Eastern Argus.
FRENCH WRITERs SOCIAL AND PoLIroAL INSTITUTIONS
I'VE have nowhere read Instructive and phiosoph
cai dsqnistions upon society and institutions
tnan IN the wrllngs Of some Of the Frenchparticuiar
those oil NJ DE Tocqueyile and M. Poussin. M De Toe
quevles book entitled Democracy in America 10 one
full Of instruction, and of and profound thoughts aud
at the same time subtle, penetrating and various Il
should be read by every American-iay, asdied, by nil
who would understand correctly the nature the spirit and
tendency OF our institutions The America an seems TO be
TOO much absorbed In the practical operations Of social
and Poca institutions to take survey of their charac-
eror al least rnayzs their nature their spirit and
dences and give the results 0f this study and analysis
the world. They objects under 100 near view to
seem to him worthy writing upon. The Frenchman how
ever looks upon them objects wholly and foreign
much 50 rs the stars In heaven, the tenn Pies
and other works Of art in Ialy-and himself about
their study with the syesatic anau,is and n.tent
study that he does Ia work of astronomy or of sculpture
or OF achitecnre hence such work Is that of De Toe
1u7viles, while nothing TO be compared with can be
iound from the pen Of an American Engshman.
We have been led these remarks by lately reading M
Guizos tlc book democracy Ia France-a work Der.
maps equally profound and Instructive as applied 10 the
present state OF society In France those have before
mentioned. Indeed, most Of the ideas there advanced
rise above the restricted circle France alone and
universally of spirit and application that render them
useful and appropriate to the people Of any country
M. Guizot discusses with comprehensive views the
present subjects that agate and the French
people, and which and will be- subjects OF
interest and agitation with ushe relative interests and
Influences Of labor professional empoyments
OF capital and movable property, and landed estate c
We give his remarks upon the latter subject as spcci-
men OF the philosophical in which treats these
natters and because think IL may be int resting ia
many to the great subject of capital and landed
erty the interests aud influence of agriculture In dis.
ncon from those olabor merely forth the light In
which It is done by M. Guzot.
Moyeabe property, or capital. may procure all
the advantages OF wealth but property in aud gives him
Of the worid-ii unes his life with the life anmates
all creation Monsy Is an instrument by which
Landed property is the establishment of sovereign
the midst Of nature, II satisfies only his and
his faulty creates that site coun,ry called home
with all the living ympathes and all the future hopes and
consopant than any other the of man, il
also affords field Of activity the favorable his
of his nature and his powers In almost all other
trades pIoe ssions whether commercial scientific
appears depend solely upon hmse-on his tai
ents address, prudence and vigilance In agricultural life,
man is constantly in the presence Of God and Of his power
here elsewhere 10 the of his abors, bur they
less insufficient than they necessary is God
who rules the and the temperature the sum- and
rain, and all those phenomena Of which deter
mine the the failure OF the abors of the
soil which he cnltvates There is pride which
sst this dependence, address which escape it, Nor
IL only sentiment of humility his power over his
own destiny whicirs thus inculcaied upon he learns
also tranquility aud patience He latter himself
that the ingenious Inventions the restless
viy win insure his when he has done AT that
depends upon linn for the cultivation and the fertilization
of the SOIL he must wait with resignation The pro-
oundly we examine tue situation In which is placed
oy the and cultivation of the soil the more do
discover how rich il is In saluay lessons his reason
and benign Influences his character Men do not an
ayze these facts but they have instructive sentiment OF
them which powerfully contributes thar peculiar spect
which they hold properly ia land and pre- ponder
which that kind OF property enjoys every other.
This preponderance Is natural legitimate and santary
which, especially in great country society large
has strong interest in recognising and respecting"