The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-02


The STUDY OF GOVERNMENT. Bv George H. Yea.
man. Little. Brown d Co, Boston.
The title OF this book and the seven hundred
pages OF matter II will be apt to repel read.
ers In general from giving that attention to the
contents which they deserve The study OF govern
mcnt Is too unattractive and dry In this age OF light
reading, telegrapns, locomotive power and rapid
movement In everything except for few students
and statesmen. People want 10 know everything
through telegrapnic or eplgrammitlc breyity, and
to see The most abstruse sciences fully taught by
aphOrlsms Eminent writers, and even some states
men among them. nowadays perceive the
necessity OF conveying instruction ON pohtics
or government through the attractive Medium
OF romance or the light literature or the modern
novel, Still. the student who is intent on becoming
well instructed IN the science or art Of governments
and has the patience to carefully study Mr.. Yea
mems book win re rewarded for his lime. 1t EN-
braces almost every topic pertaining TO the subject
as:-"lho definitions OF government ana law; the
necessity Tor government; the object and province
OF government; the origin OF government; sove
regnty the forms OF government; the three de-
parments Of government aud their functions; the
stability ana regularity OF governments; revolu-
lions; civil war; political parties; legislation; ad-
minIstratlon Of justce property; freedom Of Opin-
Ion, education religion ana exchanges slavery;
race, climate and territorial extent OF governments;
nations; external relations of government;
prize law ana maritime captures, and expa-
iriation allegiance, nationality, naturalization
ana citizenship" Inc work shows O great
deal Of ability and research and one OF
the most valuable and Interesting features IN
1t Is the continual reference TO the opinions OF great
writer's aud statesmen OF all periods Our own gov
ernment and the dinerent civilized governments Of
the time IN their various characteristics are thus
placed in JuXtapostiOn with those that preceded
them throughout the whole history of civilization.
We see how the greatest minds al different periods
have been trammelled by the circumstances sur
rounding Them, and have reasoned in accordance
with existing facts, or their preludices even when
the light OF abstrac. TRUTH science OF higher
philosophy seemed 10 beam upon them. Yet we see,
again. from Inc copious quo atlOns the author
makes, that from the earliest dawn OF civilization
in the East, as well as in the early rude govern
ments Of the Northern races OF Europe, there were
minds that perceived the great truths which UNDER
lie that liberty ana political equally, In connection
with stable and good government, which we have
realized, aud which oil civilized nations are now
striving AFTER These references TO the opinions OF
great writer's on governments IN all ages are both
Interesting and instructive. Mr.. Yeaman is a law
yer, and has worked up MS matter much as an able
lawyer would his plea IN any Important case.
There is, 1t Is true, redundancy OF verbiagc
throughout his work, as there is in most OF the
pleadmgs OF lawyers and speeches OF legislators or
poucians. This fault, arises no doubt, from his
professional habits and from his public life as o
Congressman and politician. Bot he has, notwlth
Ing clear, liberal and advanced views on the
questions he treats. He sees the value
Of our institutions, and that we have
reached the best form OF government that
has been established. He shows, however,
that government is development, and that IN .
free country like ours, where the sovereignty rests
In the people this must be subject to modification,
according to circumstances and the will Of the
people. While holding to local seltgovernment as
the bulwark OF freedom and as the best means to
give the people political education, he Is thoroughly
national and believes there can be but one sovereign
power in the republic, and that is the whole body
OF the people, acting through its chosen authorities
Our space will not admit OF an extended review OF
Mr.. Yeaman's WORK, and, therefore, wewlll only
add. that In The sound principles laid down In the
arguments adduced anu IN the valuable references
to the highest and different authorities on the sub.
ject OF government this Is of the best books
published. 1t ought to be In all our colleges higher
schools and public libraries, as well as IN the hands
OF every one studying The science OF government.