New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-05-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
or,,purN AND STUART MILL.

The wafchwOrds OF European u0i"V0'"N' 49,,
have offered such fairy visions TO so many PUu''o"'
enthusiasts are here transformed INTO :"
S.h,s vvbich haunts the imagination OF the au'hor
- its Threats of social desolation and woe
- the representatives of this nightmare MI
Iohn Stpart Mill stands prominent in modern ilteI-
- 10 10 selected IS the target for Mi. stephens
80 ,ol shots on account of the excellence oil bis
-S.~.o.or and the brlancy of his reputation. The
- 20 that author entitled an Essay on Liberty
rnsbes the text book for his structures on the doc
t,ines which be conceives are sappng the tonhua
lions of civilized society
With regard TO the absolute liberty oil thought
and discussion, MIR. Stephen takes strong GROUND
AGAINST Mr. Stuart Mill in his defense OF the rght VI
che individual to freedom of belief and OF utterance
The result of this freedom he maintains, is general
skepticism. II you want Jealous behef set people
20 fight. Nothing gives men such keen sense OF
the Importance of their own opinions, aud the vile
ness of the opinions of others either to inct OF
to mfFer persecution on their account. Unlimited
freedom of thought is unfavorable to ZEAL and even
20 a distinct appreciation of the bearings OF the
opinions which are entertained.
Mr.. Min relies mainly on the'argument that free
dom is essential to originality and individuality of
character. But in the authors view, he has formed
too favorable an estimate of human nature. Char
acter is not invigorated by the removal of re-
stralnts. Habltual exertion is the most powerful
tonic Of character. and restraint In one form OF
another is the great stimulus to exertion. pecu-
liar excellence of the system of Calvin is its idea of
Subsection. Mr.. Mills description of the Calvinistic
BONDAGE as tending to crush out the nober elements
of humanity is false and Elusive. 1t shows an in
capacity for separating scholastic husks from the
wholesome grain which has nourished the most adj
nirable race of men that trOd the face of the
earth. To believe in the theory of Mr. Mill is to be-
heve that John Knox miserable heart-broken
creature with no will of his own.
Nothing can exceed Mr.. Mills enthusiasm for indi-
vldual greatness. According to him. the masses in
all countries are made up of collective mediocrty.
They never think for themselves, or arrive at excel
lenoe except through the influence of the gifted
few But the true inference is that these individuals
ere the born rulers Of the world. This, however
Mr. Mill does not admit. In his view, all that the
man of genius can claim is to point out the way.
The power Of compelling others to walk IN 1t is IN
consistent with tho development Of all the rest and
corrupting to the strong man himself. Mr. Mill, the
author remarks is a warm advocate not only OF va
Tiety but of ecoentrcity. Exceptional individuals
he declares, should be encouraged in acting differ
emily from the mass in order to break through the
tyranny which makes eccentTicity reproach
Eccentrcity is always IN proportion to strength OF
character. That so few DOW dare to be eccentric Is
OF the Cflef dangers OF Une IlIltS Dub lLlS
vice. Mr.. Stephen asserts on the other hand, Is
absurd If it were followed to any considerable ex-
tent we should have as many little oddities in man
ner and behavior as we have people who wish TO
pass for men Of genius Eccentricity is far oftener
o mark Of weakness than mark Of strength
Weakness as a rule wishes to attract attention by
triflng distinctions aud strength wishes to avoid
IT, Originality consists in thinking for yourself, not
IN thinking differently from other people.
Mr. Stephen fully commits himself in favor Of CO.
orcion IN matters of religious opinion. BE bases it.
however on its utility, rather than any intrinsic
right There are many cases in which the evils con-
nected with it are cOunterbalanced by the evils
which it avoids or the good which it attains. 1t is
highly desirable that true religious opinions should
have the support of legal establishments, while
those which ARE false and mischIevous should be
discouraged by law. Even the Spanish Inquisition
can DO condemned only by showing that the doc
frines which it favored were not true. that the
means used to promote them were ineffective, or
that their employment was paying too high price
for the objects gained According TO this principle,
Mr.. Stephen afHrms, Pontius PLATE was right in
oOndemniug Christ to crucifxion. 1t was his para
mount duty to preserve the peace of Palestine and
Gosit in judgm on the persons who were brought
before him for trial In his position, the social order
which he represented was the absolute standard.
He could not violate it without setting the whole
province in blaze.
The aversion of Mr.. Stephen to the principle of
equality is perhaps greater than his aversion TO
the principle Of liberty. One Of the most important
applications of the principle is TO the distribution Of
political power. But this the author unqualifedly
condemns. In the first place, it is impossible, even
II were desirable. No law for the establishment Of
universal suffrage can ever be fully observed. 1t
changes the form. but not the nature of political
power. The strongest man VIII always rule If tho
government is a military one, the qualities which
make man great soldier VAL make him q ruler.
If the government is monarchy, the talents which
kings value in counselors and generals viii give
power. In pure democracy the ruling men will be
the wire-puers and their friends. At all times the
rank and file are directed by leaders of one kind or
another who get command Of their collective force
The leading men in trades union are as much the
rulers Of the other members Of the body the mas
ter of family OF the head Of factory is the ruler Of
bis servants OF work people The subdivision of po
Mtca power, IN fact, has more to do with equal
Ity than with liberty. Bat, as Mr.. Stephen argues
there is no help for this. The whole stream of hui
Unan affairs is setting with irresistible force in the
direction of universal suffrage. The old ways of
living breaking down all over Europe, and float
sing this way and that way like haycOcks IN food IL
Is not worth while, in the authors opinion to worry
about saving the,wrecks. The waters out and no
human force can turn them back Still the theory
of universal suffrage, he maintains is just absurd
as the other theories of Mr.. Mill in favor Of liberty
and equality. 1t nverts the true and natural rela
tiOn between wisdom and folly. Wise and good
men ought to rule those who are foolish and bad,
and the IDEA that their sole function is to preach TO
their neighbors, while every one has share Of the
sovereign power in the shape Of vote, and is left 70
do what he likes is the widest of romances.
Mr. Stephen incidentally expresses his views with