, 1875-02-07
man as a political being. What Mr.. Lieber has
to say on ita effects 49, unfortunately, too true.

| CHvB ua:
So soon ~ covetousness becomes general in civil
LED nation: SO soon dishonesty is general crime
| 80 soon Us public places are cout{dered by common
consent as fair opportunities to enrich their hoders
wiling to wink at cach others embs1zements sooI
parties consider themselves, by their success,
tilted to tho epoi1s OF the publiceo theEe Is
deady cancer in the Of that society," and hardly
| it, Justire will be sold !: bribes become common
poblic opinion become vicious; vcr1cty viii be disre
garded; patriotism to aeriuea; every memory o. o,
egcrT degree kecome general aud tile moral tone o
society largc which must always rslnain tue first
spring from which prosperity flows, will vaniah.
II we're impossible to follow the writer Of po-
1itical Ethics through all he has to say on the
other virtues and vices OF as political ami
NAL. We have said enough to give the reader a
general idea Of tho book. and Of its scope. We
hayo purposcly abstaiped from saying anything
on tue book On tho State. treating, as that book
docs, Of subject only remotely concerned with
the main topic.
We will close this review with reference to
Mr., L,eber's views on questions which have d
little Interest for the public at present,-the
questions OF parties and Of tho opposition. At
a time when, in this country, it ia fashionable to
decry party, it may be well to hear from SO en-
iuent MI authority as the author OF 't Political
Ethics that there never was free country
without parties. Nothing in the physical or
moral world ia to be obtained without struggle.
and struggle always supposes two sides or
parties to It, To the extent and degree that
there is room for combined aud self-directlng
action in Stute, parties will exist. But not
only do parties exist always in free State, it ii
desirable that they should exist. The wisest
measures are carried ouly by parties. Parties
preyen. inexperienced lnnoyators from harasa-
ing society. Political parties L:eber divides into
historical and passing onea. Historical parties
arc those with their foundations in the HISTORY
OF the country. Such are the Tories md Wings
in England, and, re might add, the Democratic
and Republican iu this country. Passing par
ties are those formed for momeutarg pur-
poses, or for displacins an Administration.
4 party worthy OF the adherence OF q
large and grea. principles. When party has
not Euch foundation, it becomes the supporter
or promoter Of meaoness, intrigues, and cabals.
Lieber ia OF opinion that, in contests OF great
political importance, it is, with very few excep-
tions, tho duty Of every citizen to attach himself
to and to act with come party The exceptions
ara when his conscience forbids him to act with
either, or when ho has otherwise any specific
reasons for keeping aloof from ho:h. OF inde-
pendents, Lictcr obEeryes that they are not un-
frequently influenced BY lu-judging vanity; re-
fusing to acknowledge that due influence which
tho opinion Of f1ionds AID the aggregate opin-
ion OF that body Of men whom one has reason to
trust, should always exercise over rational
man. An opposition party is necessary ele-
mont in the political life Of q nation. Peace and
order cannot co-e1ist with liberty where there il