, 1889-02-17
CHAPTER xxx

IN AueTlch inc pursuit OF pOuuCs IS q
liberal p~rofcssion-very liberal for those who
take 1t up.
In America, as in England, there are two
great political parties; instead Of being called
Conservatives and Liberals, they are called
Republicans and Democrats. The difference
which exists between these two parties Is this:
Ono is in power and tries to stay in, the other
is out of 1t and tries to get in.
All that is done by one is condemned In ad-
vnncc by the other, whichever tho other may
be. II Is patriotism.
Good society keeps prudently nloof from
politics and politicians. When q servant an
nounces n politician his master whispers in
his car; John, lock up tho plate and take
caro- there is nothing lying about" John,
faithful TO orders, stands sentinel In the hall,
and whilo he is showing out tho politician,
keeps an eye on the umbrellas and overcoats.
For that matter, the American democracy
Is no exception to tho rule To become n
chemist, you must study chemistry; to be-
como n lawyer, you must study law; but, In
n democracy, TO be a politician you need only
study your interests Enlightened, educated,
well bred people have no desire to DO con-
founded with the heroes OF tho stump, and
stand back; the rich financiers and merchants
arc too busy to take up politics; tho senators
and congressman arc more or less tho chosen
of tho common people, and good society says:
mo, thank you, l prefer to stay at home. +"
Thus II is that tho ground remains clear for
the noisy mediocrities, and that n gentleman
has only to mix himself up in politics to be-
como a declnsse. He must roach tho White
House to inspire a little respect. The Ameri-
can gentleman has not tho least ambition to
SEQ his fair name dragged in tho mud, to hear
himself nicknamed Honest john" "JoIy
Roger" or what not. He takes n Joke as
well as another, but If you were to call him
Senator" or Congressman" he would have
you up for defamation of character. Tho
president himself, capable and upright as he
is, does not altogether escape the contempt
which the politician inspires in the man of
of refinement.
Contemporary America Is governed by tho
Irish.
Tho Germans, the Scandlnavians, all those
crowds of foreigners that, year by year, flock
to the New World to find n livelihood, and
which America gradually assimilates, go
west to fell forests and reclaim tho land.
But the Irish pitch their tents, for the most
lI v al bAlo IA 80 CUTS "neIe lut1 COnRTC-
gate together and turn their attention to
politics. The city Of New York, for instance,
which has been SUCCESSFULLY conquered by the
Dutch, the English, and tho Yankees, is to-
day in the hands of tho Irish. New York Is
tho real capital of Ireland.
was In America on the 18th of March, st.
Patrick's day. remember that the Irish do
manded to have tho day officially celebrated
in New York, and tho mayor was requested
to hoist the green flag over the City Hall.
This gentleman, for refusing to comply, was
next day pronounced a "false patriot" and a
TRAITOR"
Tho English are always wondering why
Americans all seem to be In favor of home
rule, md ready TO back up the cause with
their dollars. Whyi l will tell you. Be-
cause they arc in hopes that, when the Irish
get ireland, they will oil go home.
Upon the strength of a six months stay in
America, one would hardly attempt to de-
liver a verdict on the political system of the
country.
l think, however, that it may safely DO
affirmed that the English are a freer people
than the Americans; that the constitutional
i had almost said republican-monarchy of
England is preferable to the authoritative
democracy of America
The American constitution was copied from
that of the England of l776, and the presi-
dent of the United States was invested with
a power about equal to that Of George Ill.
Since thnt date the English have advanced,
and the Americans have not-politically
The English of the year of grace 1883 would
soon give the Queen notice to quit, II she took
it into her head to ask for power equal to
that possessed by the president of the United
States; it would take less time, perhaps, thar
the Americans would need to get rid of a
troublesome president
The position of this president of the United
States is very curious. Imagine to yourself
a king who, after four years service, disap.
pears into the obscurity Of private life, is nc
moro heard OF unless he Is a~ssassinated, and
whose very features are forgotten unless
they have been perpetunted upon dollar bills
and postage stamps.
TIT presidential election, which takes
place every fourth year, is the most feverish
phase of the feverish American life. The
whole nation becomes delirious. Several
months before the day fixed, every mind Is
preoccupied with but one thing, the election.
Tn newspapers are full of it, conversation
has no other subject Passions are let loose,
intrigues are on foot, the most odious calum.
MES are circulated, men stop Mt nothing that
may give the victory to their party. For
three or four weeks prior to the election, the
country is given over to PROFESSIONS, meet
ings, banners, stump speeches, torchlight
marches, etc. As soon as Fate has pro-
nounced between the candidates, calm is no
tored, the fray ceases, arms are extended
only In handshakings, the vanquished accep,
their defeat with as much bravery Us they
had displayed in the struggle, and every one
goes once more about his business
The English have the hnbit of making