New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-10-09
Nen21ork daily Gribn,,e
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
p.pvr GOODWIN on POLITICS

| PAREE GOODWIN ON POLITICS.
POLITICAL ESSAYS. By P,'ss GOODWIN I2no PIP 5AA
DIX Edward. 20.
In the discussion If great political questions, no
writer Of the presen, day wields more trenchant
pen than Mr. Parke Goodwin. His education his
tastes. b. habits, and his convictions, emlnently
qualify HIN Tor this service He combines certain
downright character of mind with clear percep-
ton of frst principles. His keenness OF discern
ment il never prriudiced by the IDEAL tendencies
which would seem 70 indicate the poe, rather than
the politician. With .ingularly vigorous magma
ton, be never attempts 20 soar INFO the upper re-
Gions, until be has first secured a footing on the
sohd earth. He always makes facts the ministers
10 his fancy. He is equally remarkable for his
power of subtle analysis, his reach and breadth OF
thought his sk in argument, his fertility OF Illus
tration, and the of.hsnd readiness with which he
tets forth the conclusions of stringent logic IN the
form of masculine and persuasive rhetoric. His
occasional homeliness, not TO say bluntness of
preston, produces an effective accord with the
snewy strength of his reasoning With a natural
dstaste for circumlOcutiOn be aims directly Al the
heart of his subject, and seldom fails TO hit the tar.
get in the white. Nor is the afiuence of his n0r-
nation less extraordinary than the sagscity of his
munitions, and his ratiocinatve tact. tie writes
with full mind, and one stored with choice and
admirable variety of knowledge In acquaintance
with history with social science with the develop
ment of politics, and with the course and results Of
human thought in all ages, few men are his superb
ors No one could pretend to be his equal without
large and rare attsinments.
The labors of such a mind, bestowed upon the
paramount topics of current political discussion,
must possess an intrinsic value beyond the occasion
which originally called them forth. We therefore,
extend an earnest welcome 10 this volume, which
consists entirely of the papers that have already
made strong mark on the mind Of the country on
their first publication in "Putnams Magazine.
They are devoted not at all TO distractions, but TO
questions Of immediate and vital interest The re-
latons of Slavery TO American politics is the prom
inent theme and it is handled in manner that may
instruct the statesman, while no intelligent reader
can fail to profit by its suggestions.
In the first essay on "Our Parties and Politics,
Mr. Goodwin traces the roots Of the existing dis.
tnctions to the revolutionary and even TO the colo
NAL times. The Wings of the Revolution gave to
the world the new and sublime idea OF State
founded on the inherent freedom and dignity of the
individual man. 1t was this party which gave the
original impulse to American freedom, and fused
the national mind by the warmth of its own con-
vicion into the great Democratic idea which is at
the basis of cur poity. The separation OF parties
after the adoption of the Federal Constitution is
we'll described in the following paragraph;
The mere disputes as 10 the authority OF the General
Government might not. perhaps, have led TO such
earnest and envenOmed battles, at the outset II they
had not been complicated especially under the eader-
ship of Jefferson and Hamilton with the protounder
questions of individual rights just then agitang the
Old World. Hamilton, man OF talent, bred IN camps,
dftIus,ful of the masses, an admher oil the brilsn
Constitution and accustomed 10 the ngor OF military
rule was disposed to rely upon the strong arm OF gov
ernmen and may be regarded as the representative Oh
the sentiment Of LAW; while Jefferson, on the other
hand a of genius, self-confdent, generous, SAN
euine tolerant OF theories acoye, If not teacher
of the French school of manners and thought leaned
the spontaneous action of the people and WA the
repre- sentative of LIBERTY Thus the party Of Sate
rights and the party of liberty to be identified
and took the name, after time, OF the Democratic
Republican party while Federalism, or the doctrine OF
strong Central Government, jumped in naturally WIN
the doctrine of law and order. There was double
pressure tendencies separating the two parties, and
incnsfyiDg their hstreds and, in the eIacrbaons OF
the tnes inducing them To accuse each ofher respec-
the opinions of the Republicans of those days was only
monarchist in disguise, watching his opportunity to
strange the infant liberties OF his country IN the cradle
and 10 restore the pated Colonies ID their de-
pendeuce upon Great Britain; while the Federsst re-
torted the generous imputaton OF his adversary ny
calling him q Jacobin, scoundrel and demagogue
eager uproot the foundations OF order aud let loose
the less aud of French intdely and french iu-
morality upon society. We, at this day, looking
through the serener atmosphere of history know that
they we're both ssken in their extreme opinions, and
that they both good patriots after all necessary TO
each other appears, in temperiDg the danger
ouf excuses which might have followed the Unchecked
predonnr of either, and in giving more uniform
ard stable action TO untIied political system. But
we cannot conceal the deep significance OF the contest
in which they were engaged.
A still more significant picture is given Of the
present Pro- Slavery party and the means by which
it has attained baeful assendency ia the councils
of the Republic:
This Pro-Savery Party which grew mainly ont OF
the old Republican Democratic party aud which
has never even taken q distinct name, has been the
success, full party of our history IL has achieved
signal ascsndency than any other party, ana IL
has DE- ne So not by superior ability more Illus
trious virtue but by dint OF its tact and compact
and per- istent determination. lite leaders, perceying
at On early DAY that they should play a Iorns game
il they attempted 10 stand alone trusting 10 the ord
n,ry means Of success-to the natural supremacy OF
talent 10 the growth OF numbers and TO Nc recutude
e their cause-hit upon the eXpedient OF identifying
themselves with the popular patty OF the North. nav
ing accomplished that they gradually directed that
parry to the defense and spread of their peculiar doc
tripes Not satisfied with the concession which every
intelligent and udicous NOrherner wa then glad %
make that Slavery was a system exclnslveiy wlthn
the control of the States they first nsnuatd and then
insisted that Slavery not u be discussed at oil at
tie North, because moral interference was quite ~
intolcrable az direct political Interference ms pre-
tension which was just the same if Russia or fur
key should inzist that the principles Of Absolutsn
should not be DISCUSSED in the United States because
Russia and Turkey had commercial treaties with
tie United States found merchants sordid enough 10
nse ate mobs gans those no questioned It. and p'li