Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-11-26
wb,t avs he ediIor Of the North Agcricaa ?
Dealing Win Political Questions on Literary
Principles.

De Tccauevile in 'Tbe OH Regime has some obser-
vitioos which seem to Us quite descriptive Of the poii-
cal condition Of this couuiry "a. this moment He IL
showing how literary be.sms the leading politicians
az France and remarks that Il, something entirely
nsw for men Of letters to diTect the political education
Of great nation; this more perhaps haDaay thing else
contributed 20 form the peculiar ehlaoterand results Of
our revolution. The peOpe imbibed the temper and do
position OF the authors with their principles They were
a leg sole tutors OF the Eatoa thelr lessons we're
50 wholly UNCHECKED aud unred by practical experience
tLat the whole nation acquired by.diai Of reading them
their ins,c their mental complexion, their tastes, and
even their natural defects When the time for action
cane, asu dealt ri,h politiea'qHestOHS on literary
riHeiplss Tue student Of our revolution sOOs dscov
era that il was led sad managed BY the same spE;
which gave birth TO many abstract treatses on gov
ernment In both he finds the same love for general
theories sweeping legislative systems, and symmetrical
w; the sane confidence iR theory the desire for
new and original Institutions the SANE wish TO recon
s,ruc. the whole Constitution according to the rules
If logic and in conformity With a plan instead Of
attempting partial SmendmenL A terrible sight For
ha, i srii IN an auiA0r ia Often defect "a stdiss-
,s,,. and characteristics which improve book may be
f,tl 10 rsso u.ion The political style o. the day vas
ome.hat indebted TO the prevaingiiieraurs; It ors-
lid -th vague expressions abstract terms, ambitious
words and literary phrases. The political passions Of
the day gave it currency among all classes, even the
lowest Long before the Revolution, the ediets OF Louis
XVI often spoke Of natural laws aad the rights OF man.
P.,s,ps in petitions, styled their neghoOrs fellow
r,ps;" the atendAnt "a respectable magistrate the
n,,h eur.,e the minister Of the altar" and God the
,.suDrsme Being They might have become sorry ae-
,,or. had they but known su:hograpay. These Peeu-
,-;,iss have taken such in the French mind shat
ba have been mistaken for is natural charae;eristics
whereas they are in fact only the result Of strange
.vssr Of education. have heard j. stated that toe
a, q. or rather ihs rage haze sh0rH during ne last
.ir,s years for general principles, systems aHa
rraa ver5isgs IN political Masrs proceeded from al
d;osyneracy Of our raee-a peculiarly Of the French
mind As though feature Of this kind would be likely
% remain hidden for ages and only TO see the light at
,be close Of the last century" We commend De TOcque
ves experience to that class ofNorthern men Who fol-
la the lit. philosophers who IDEAL with political CUES
tons on literary principles" This is the time for grave
rssse,iou aud wise acon We have bad enough OF the
sinai, lecturers and sentmentasts. The words Of this
eminent writer strike Us being snguary applicable to
e pubc sentiment that has eliminated in the election
r IL, 81, tha presifeuev