The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-27

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Death or Do TocqaovilIe-Author OF "De.
mocSAcy In Am. rica.n
Ono OF the most profound poca thinkers OF the ago.
one or tho most distinguished wrte Of France,
VINO bas done more than all other put together to
spread the principles Of democratic institutions
throughout the Old World, has passed from EARTH but
leaves behind him . memory which will be long kept
green the souls Of those who cherish freedom for
own sake. The eminent 10 whom refer is Alexis
De Tocquevie, whose name strange 70 say not TO be
found either In The Men Of the nme," published
by Reded Of this city, or In the later larger and
pretentious work Of Abone, Of Philadelphia though two
or three columns under De- devoted 70 Do Quincy,
author Of light lteratsre and who has written
nothing about the United States while Do Tocquevie
has written work about republic, entitled " Demo-
cracy in America" which repubshed in New York,
numbers nearly 9e0 octave pages and the BEST sbest
and largest book written Of institutions by
q foreigner, or even by native. II 10 not
free from errors and mistakes, as no other
book Of the same dimensions Is but, take 1t
all In all, and II ranks as q standard book,
equal To De Solme, the British Constitution" which,
though also written by foreigner regarded in England
as the best book produced the subject Of which
!. treats De Tocqueves book has gone through numer
ous editions in the French language and has been ransR
ted into nearly every other language In Europe. It is
described by distinguished writer ga continuation
Of Montesqueus Spirit Of Laws"-tho highest compli-
ment which could be paid to the work It Is revelation
to Europe Of the spirit Of American laws BE almost
the only foreigner who has done justice TO nsttu
tons He sympathses with freedom and fully appre
Cates It's benefits to the Of The word "derno-
cracy" was invented two thousand years ago. but tho
American republic is the first example of the thing.
losopher Malesherbes and born at Verneui the
10Th OF July 1905 he died at "a years Of
age After completing his legal studies at Paris he prac
tced in the courts where his professional ability obtained
for him the appointment OF Judge OF Instruction at YER
saes. shortly before the French revolution of 1880,
which placed louis Philippe the throne, he visited the
United States having been selected as Commissioner
with his fieDo Emile de Beaumont, to report upon the
penentiary system Of this country. But while he
here hs observation took wider range, and he scanned
all our institutions with the OF philosopher The
suit besides mastery report on our penitentares was
turn after the revolution of the three days of
July. This raised him at once to the highest
rank among writer's on government. 1t is regarded IN
Europe as sound, clear aud able philosophc exposition
Of the principles institutions and social condition Of the
United States Of America For this work in 1886 he
ceved from the French Academy the Montegon price
the following year he made member.
With his journey to America the judicial career Of dc
Tocquevie closed 10 1899 he was chosen 10 the Cham
Der of Deputies from Vaogne Department Of La Msnche
retaining his seat until lsas aiding consistently the oppo
s,ion 10 the administration OF LOUIS Philippe The Janua
votion, which actually broke out in the month folio wing
aud in eaectng which his own book performed nsig
nfcant part. The Department OF La Manche chose
him lite representative In the Constituent Assembly, where
he distinguished himself by his hearty repcobat0n OF So
calsm, but otherwise sustained the republic Gen.
Cavagnac during his brief ADMINISTRATION selected de
Tocqueve to represent France in the Brussels coneren-
Italian affairs On his return from this mission he
elected 70 his seat in the Deputies and the Sd Of
june 1S49 received from the hands Of President Louis
Napoleon the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and advocated
the occupation Of Rome with all his powerful abilities.
Tha tn Drn
sident Message Of October 81 led to the resignation Of
the moderate members OF the Cabinet n dc TOoquege
among the number In the Legislative Assembly the
minister at took position the benches Of the Oppo
sition. On the I'd December 1851 he OF tho de-
puties who protest against the coup dsdt Impri
soDed with his principal associates he presently set
ut liberty and finally withdrew 10 private life
The intervals Of his leisure De Tocquevile occupied In
the composition of treatise on The Ancient Regime and
the Revolution" the Arst volume Of which issued in
1885, and translated into English by Henry Reeve OF Lon
don and Mr.. Bonner Of this city. 1t designed TO be
complete calculation Of the changes effected French
politics and society by the great outbreak Of the eighteenth
century The materials were drawn from original sources
in the archives Of the departments and the towns and
gave reeh and interesting insight into the local life Of
long period BIZ which II prepared ne locquevilee
fundamental idea that the great political curse OF
France the Capitalization Of government, and he
deavored show that this had not been the work Of the
Them the violence OF the outbreak of 1889
was only proportoned the previous repression The
work remarkable for ts holiness and for its sly hits at
LOUIS Napoleon, and many wondered at the time of its
publication that the book not suppressed by authority
writer proceeded agacs for libel an again sent 70
pson martyr freedom He did not live 10 publish
the conclusion Of the book, but it is TO be hoped he has
left the materials behind him.