New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
OUR COMMONWEALTH.
PROFESSOR BRYCE'S NEW BOOK.

1pmo.. DID. XIX, $50, VII, 743. Macmillan d 20
This work will be invaluable, not only to the
,..;on student who wishes to understand the
remarkable experiment in gov eminent whicn .ne
ucoplc of the United States are making put a'so
70 the American citizen who wishes some.n'ns
moro than q superficial knowledge OF inc poh'io'i
system under which he lives, and of the differences
between il and those of other countries IL ID
true. as Professor Bryce says, in his Introduction
.ho. . dining the last fifty years no author has
rronosed 70 himself the aim Of portraylng the
whole nolitical system of the country IN JUS
,,,actice rs we'll as its theory, OF eXpAlmng'
not only the National Government, but the StaUe
governments; not only the Constitution, put inc
marty system 4; not only the party system Dut uhe
ideas. temper habits Of the sovereign people
I'm, this is only as much Of the truth as the
authors modesty would permit him TO tell Inc
fact is that no writer has ever attempted TO pre-
sent so comprehensive an account OF our ponVlcai
svst,m fou nded upon such length OF oDserNauoh'
enriched with so great mass OF detail ana SO
thoroughly practical in its character De Tocque-
ville's book while it undoubtedly rendered great
service. and will long continue to be read. was a
phlosophic treatise upon democracy IN the ao-
stract. with illustrations drawn from this coun-
,rv rather than scientific analysis and eX-
position of our political history and methods
Professor Bryces chief Aim has been TO furnish
the studeut with the facts from which TO draw
his own conclusions, though considerable snare
of the work IS devoted TO his observations hoo
only upon the systems OF government Naliohai'
State and local. and party methods, Dut aiso upon
many significant features III our social HE having
an important bearing upon "a proper coh-
prehenson of the American character. AS re
suit we have here storehOuse OF political In
formation regarding America, such as no other
writer, American or other. has ever provided III
one work The first volume is divided INTO three
parts Part l deals with the National Govern
ment making an elaborate showing OF It's nature
and relations, the powers and duties OF the ffesl-
dent. the Cabinet, etc. Each House of Congress
is separately treated with great fullnesS OF de-
tail. the contrast with the parliamentary systems
of other countries is pointed out, and merits and
dement's. according to the authors point OF view,
are frankly stated. The relations OF Congress to
the President of the Federal courts to the other
branches of the Government and the origin,
growth and development of the Constitution all
these sre treated with great fulness but the
style OF the work. even IN the discussion u
questions Of the most abstract character is popu-
lar and exceedingly interesting. Part III SUBJECTS
the State Government to the same examination
Part III discusses the history OF political parties
and their present methods and characteristics.
Volume III opens with fun account of the party
system, describes machines, rings and bosses;
answers the question SO often asked in foreign
countries as TO the real extent of corruption in
our politics; and describes conventions. Presl-
Dental campaigns, etc Part ~ concerns itself
with public opinion, its extraordinary power IN
American affairs its ways of showing itself, etc.
On this subject Professor Bryces views make an
interesting contrast TO those of De Tocquevlle.
Part v gives careful sketches Of the Tweed and
Philadelphia Gas Rings and Kearneyism. and
deals philosophically with American democracy
considered as a whole its supposed faults, and
those it actually possesses. Part vi takes up
social institutions. the bar railroads. wall Street.
the position of women, the University, etc.
Tho reader is strongly predsposed in favor of
the work by the discovery that the authors con-
illusions are the result of long and patient OBJ
servation and by his frank confession that he has
often been obliged TO revise them. When 4
first visited America eighteen years ago." he says
81 brought home swarm of bold CANCELLATIONS
Half of them were thrown overheard
after second visit in 1881. or the
half that remained, some were dropped into
the Atlantic when returned across it after a
third visit in 1853 and 1884 and although the
two later Journeys gave birth TO some new
views these views are fewer and more dlscreetly
cautious than their departed sisters OF 1870"
The reader does not need to go far 10 discover that
while Professor Bryce finds much to crluclse, and
even 10 condemn, his predominant feeling is one
Of great admiration for the results that have
been achieved under our system and OF entire
hopefulness for the future: and that he has the
breadth of view 20 enable him TO perceive how
erroneous deductions based wholly upon European
experience, are likely TO be. America eXctes
ON admiration which must be felt upon the spot
L FL Lnr, IL
communicates itself TO one who lives among them,
and makes him perceive that the graver faults OF
politics may be far less dangerous there than they
would be in Europe hundred times in writing
this work have l been disheartened by the facts
was stating; hundred times has the recollection
of the Astounding strength and vitality Of the
nation chased away these tremOrs" Professor
Bryce was conspicuoUsly qualified TO carry this
important work 10 a successful conclusion AS
Professor Of Civil Law DIT oxford and Member of
Parliament for Aberdeen, he possesses the com
bination of scholarly and practical characteristics
most needed for a correct understanding OF the
American political system. What is only less re-
marlable than the cOmprehensiveness and ampll-
tude of the work. is its accuracy IN statements OF
fact To aid him in securing this, he has had the
cooperation of a number of our public men, and
Messrs Seth Low and Frank j. Goodnow have
written separate chapters OF the work. Professor
'Bryces deductions are his own, and may not al
ways be accepted, but the freedom of the book
from errors Of detail is remarkable in work Of
this kind.
The views of such an observer upon this great
variety of topics present so many points OF in
terest that choice among them is difficult
There is a good deal said not only upon the
legal but the social. relations Of the President:
To European observer, weary Of the slavsh OBJ
righteousness and nI,decp aduIaton with which the
side of the Atlantic fawncd in public and carped
al In private, the social relations Of an American
President 10 his people eminenty refreshing
Theirs is a great respect for the Office, and
res ponding respect for the the holder OF the
once, IL be has done nothing TO degrade IL. he Is
followed about and feted and in every way treated
as the first man in the company; but the spirit Of
equality which rules the country has sunk too deep
afllra az