New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-10-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
rnB ISSUES OF AMERICAN PoLrTICS BY oRRT SKINNER
l2no. ppA SOL J. B. LTppoOtt Co
m H. IL p1 1tccr nni-


and illustration plainly visible In the composition Oh
this volume. 1t is marked by unusual breadth OF
view the discussion Of hackneyed topics, aud the
ideas of the writer may not claim the merit OF strict
originality, they always presented In an original
HIGHT combined with new relations, and enforced by
fresh and unworn arguments. Although devoted TO
exclusively political themes, the work has the character
of q philosophical treatise, rather than Of popular
essay.
In the distribution his material, Mr. skinner has
adopted the titles OF Monetary and Financial Topics
including the currency banks and banking systems ana
public debts and funding schemes; Changes in our
Organic and Municipal Law under which head are dis
GUESSED the constitutional amendments, reconstruction
force OF legislation amnesty and civil services indus
trial and Revenue Legislation" embracing protection
and free trade tariffs, and taxation; and Representa-
tive Government" treating of the elements OF repre-
sentative government, suffrage. minority representa-
tion, and the Capitalization OF power His nethod Is
simple and effective first exhibiting the general princi-
pies OF each topic and then discussing them In thelr
practical application TO this country
Under the head Of our present paper circulation
Mr. Skinner ascrbes the origin OF its evils simply to the
fact OF a redundant currency. The burden falls most
heavily upon aborers, saaried men, farmers and the
working classes in general The excessive issues OF
paper money, which have enormously enhanced the
price commodities have also increased the opportu
mites OF the business aud commercial world, but the
aad salaries OF the classes referred 10 have never
Increased in proportion the rise in the cost of living
At so late period as the close Of the year 1871 the In
'i' the income OF the saaried and aborng classes
""' % ""'s =" forty per cent below the relative IN
crease IN inc prices Oh - Of subsistence. The
country in the opinion Of the a,-- ,s ready for the
resumption OF specie payments. Not only so, DuV
Of the community at large which has SO long
submitted 10 gross injustice In this respect, mpera-
lively demand that the further pOstpOuement OF full
resumption shall not he allowed
The amendments OF the Constitution, subsequent to
the close Of the Civil War; the subjects of an eabor
ate discussion, in which the writer freely and boldly
announces his convictions irrespective of their agree
ment with the prevailing public opinion. The Thir-
tcenth Amendment, he maintains, simple
necessity for outstanding the victories that had been
n the conflict OF its eminent desirableness there
cannot be a shadow OF doubt removed the only stain
upon national escutCheOn The lips OF the republic
longer continue utter libel liberty, and fasfy
the principles which presided at its birth The cOnstu
tOuality of the amendment is above suspicion. But
Congress the author contends sgnay failed In its APP
propriate work. With the first cessation of hostites,
government should supersede military rule 1t is
only rsOn the inability Of the civil government to
tain ef that should be had to the aid Of mill
tasy power. Congress should have provided policy OF
reconstruction upon civil basis Immediately after the
close hostilites thus sOtenng the bitterness of
Southern feeling and a1Orng whatever protection was
necessary for the preservation OF civil and political
rights This would have aayed the spirit of discomfort
SOUTH avoided legislative and executive collision,
and placed the task of reconstruction upon the basis OF
law.
ner occupies ground which will with little sympa-
thy among friends freedom in the North. Viewed
nOnpartsan sense he describes the act which ad-
four millions Of ignorant blacks TO the exercise of
political power illustration Of the unhealthy
growth Of political privilege that Is too in the
annals of this country One OF the wisest expressions
that fell from the lips Of Thaddeus Stevens although
aware of its full import says the author,
was the remark that forty OF land and hut
would be more valuable than the immediate right to
Tho ATneu 1tn4Ff ne
author Is liable the objections the preceding
Each Of them, his opinion gives evidence Of an i'm
policy and a superficial craftsmanship, although
their fault is less in intention than in conception.
They contemplate the establishment Of justice and
equality in respect to the dearest boon of the American
people, but they gravely mistake the for the
compllshment OF the end. Mr. Skinner proceeds to
argue that the elective franchise is much natu
raj right as a social privilege
The assumption that age the only requisite TO q
legitimate electoral estate, he regards burlesque
upon civilization and libel upon the science of
ment Our present policy offers premium TO ignorance
and forms a upon the yals Of the republic. 1t
would be a very difficult II not absolutely impossible
point any extended instance Of the purchase
Of votes from our intelligent enfranehsed popula-
ton. Ii is a sacrifice Of manhood which nothing
but ignorance. and the attendant inability 60
comprehend the real iurpitude Of the act, will
for a moment contemplate; but at the immediate
period Of the proposal and ratification OF these amend
ments glaring exhibition OF the evil results Of
restricted suffrage in this direction attracting the
attention Of entire country and Of Europe and still
thwars the efforts put forth for its removal The State
OF New York juncture foremost Of all the
United States in point of population commerce, wealth,
and advantages every and nature, both natural
and artificial hand and foot by gang Of the
veres robbers and feebOOer that disgraced the
history any nation upon the face of the earth HOW
By means Of The purchase Of from hoeNtyfre to forty
thousand Of ignorant natrGsed citizens whose
knowledge did not cover a proper use OF
a spade, and whose selfrespect measured
by the extent OF their brides" For these
and kindred reasons, which Mr. Skinner
folds at length and with great righteousness of state
Inent. considers that the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments untenabe-hat an unrestricted suffrage
unsound and unwhOesOme-and that an unrestricted
suffrage is not even an impartial suffrage. This, he
maintains Is fOrciby demonstrated by the present pc
Htlcal condition OF the South. FOur-hfths OF the en-
fanchsed people Of that quarter Of the country per
soma whose lamentabe condition in the past only
eQualed by their present ignorance Their intellectual
weakness only adds 10 their credulty BY gross impOs
on the electoral power with which they have been
dowed is made the OF fosting into the govern
ments Of the Southern States host of unprincped ad
venturers from the North who take advantage OF their
position exorbitant and Illegal taxes the ma
FORTY Of the axpayng population food the money
ket with unwaranted issues Of Government securities
and plunge the States into almost hopeless bankruptcy
All the legitimate political ends that aimed at by
in question might have been secured by far
enlightened policy. An establishment Of suffrage
upon national basis, with strict qualification OF intel
Bgence. q proyi SION for universal amnesty. and a
rigorous election law for the prevention Of fraudulent
voting would placed the exercise Of suffrage upon
q sound foundation. From this point of view Mr. Skin
concludes, that the Fourteenth and Fifteenth |
amendments far they affect the elective franchise