Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-11-02
TuE celebrated Philosopherand Publicist, DR.


TnE celebrated Philosopherand Publicist, Dr.
Lieber, is at present engaged in delivering
series oflectures on the science of Politics, be-
fore the students of Columbia College, New
York city. Judging from the Introductory Lee
ture, which VIC have before US, in the columns
of the National Inteltigeaeer, we venture to
say that these lectures, when complete, will
form as valuable and profound work upon
Political Science, as has yet appeared, in either
ancient or modern times. DIR. Lieber, with
mind extraordinarily adapted to philosophical
and theoretical study, has devoted nearly the
whole of life time in the investigation of SUBJ
Ijects allied to, or identical with that now in
hand. Montesquieu employed more than TWEEN
ty years upon that valuable work,-the Spirit
of Laws. Dr. Lieber tells US that his work has
employed him longer than this; and brief as it
will be, it is the product of longer study than
the philosophic Frenchman gave to his immor-
tai work.
In the lecture before US, the learned author
notices three points, presenting evidence of vice
in the politics of the present, of our country.
They are-"Rattery, disrepute of politics, and
n certain theory which has formed itself regard
ing the propriety of discussion" Upon the
latter point he says: "And lastly, it is
characteristic of our present public life that al
most every conceivable question is drawn with>
in the sphere of politics. when there, i: is incon-
tinently seized upon by political parties. and
once within the grasp of parties, 1t is declared
improper to be treated anywhere except in the
arena of political strife If it be treated else
~ ;c toI.oo e.
granted that the inquiry has been instituted for
groveling party purposes. Fair and frank dis
cussion has thus become cmasculatcd, and the
people submit to dictation."
DIR. Lieber is not the first who has noticed
this serious evil in our present system of poll
tics. It is, we are well convinced, one of the
most formidable hindrances to the cultivation of
political science. And not only SO, but it is one
of the most serious drawbacks to interpolation
of the acknowledged rules of the science to ex-
listing political affairs. Our nation may be a
nation of Montcsquieus and BurIamaQuis, but
all our political wisdom is worth nothing to u.s.
so long the pernicous practice of turning
every political question to partisan use, is per>
mitted.
The vicious characteristic observed upon does
not so much consist in torturing all kinds of
questions into the grasp ur politics, as in per-
tiOaciousIy holding them there aud condemning
them to the ercluSiro use of parties. The
stump speech and rocking partisan pamphlet
(where party power and personal popularity are
almost the only things sought are, at present,
almost the exclusive media Of political instruc-
tion,-if it be not naked mockcry to call it
instruction" As Dr.. L. justly complains, il
treated elsewhere, it is looked upon as done for
paltry party purpose. None others arc &c.
l5nOwlodged as having authority to teach in such
matter, but those recognized as party leaders,
and they of all others, perhaps, the least
fitted to do so, and the most interested in givN
ing false instruction and unwise advice From
them there is too general disposition to receive
political opinions, just the faithful son Of
Rome receives the doctrines of his spiritual
mother,-withOut inquiry of their soundncss.
Indeed, we might almost say, there is too much
of disposition to be without instruction at
all, in the important Science of Politics, This
is radical evil Of the present time. 1t is to
be hoped, however, it may yet be overcome.
When the suffOcating clutch of purtyism is
shaken off, and politics shall become science
of solid inquiry and calm investigation, better
times will have dawned upon us and more
cheerful hopes will be held out for the future
GREAT effort has been made to connect the