The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-12-18
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The Forum.

Inc forum.
The December Forum is as ably edited
as its predecessors collection of forci
the pen, not asa pastime, but as mighty
lever in the interest of humanity. TIL.
contributions to this number are pecu
iiarly fascinating in their bearing an(
authorship.
''The Government of American Cities
by Andrew d. White, president of Cor
nell University, is mastery conception
OF what our cities should be, and a faith
full portrayal of what they are not. Hi
appeal to American people in behalf o
their own needs is couched in the mos
persuasive, the most powerful eloquence
and his parallels drawn between the gov
ernments OF our cities. and those of Flu
rope should stir the public mind to the
very core. In conclusion, he grasps the
very apple of discord, and brings it te
the ight--politics, which control oul
towns of whatever size they be, send ig
norant. corrupt men to offices of trust
and honor thus demoralHing and
degrading our fair land. His solution OF
the problem is broad and practical, and
is guaranteed by its successful operation
in foreign countries.
Formative Influences by Arch Dea-
con Farrar, is one of a series of papers
on that most interesting of subjects. 1t
is a rare treat to come thus in contact
with the inner lives of men, to whose
intellect the world pays homage. The
Areh-Deacon's paper is, both eloquent
and elegant. His style is marked by
grace aud ease, and its contents rich in
wisdom. He ascribes to Milton and Col
ridge the deepest formative influence
upon his own mind but his survey of
the greatest poets, scholars, and authors
is eminently useful and comprehensive
President w. A. P. Martin replies brief
pounded in former number viz Does
China menace the world?" His assertion
shat China's policy is defensive instead
of offensive, exclusive instead of inclu-
sive, is an able argument in itself, and
he brings forward satisfactory proof to
clinch it, He decides thatgChina's men
ace to the world lies not Fin emigration.
but in supplying entirely her own needs,
thus closing her ports to foreign trade
''Speed in Railway Travel" by Prof.
r. H. Thurston. is an able demonstration
of the century's progress in this science,
and a glance at the increased speed and
comfort future innovations will undoubt-
edly place at our command.
Jules Simon in "The Stability of the
French Reppblic,n deals weightily with
question of peculiar interest in this
day. He discusses the question from ev-
cry standpoint, and disposes finally of
French Republic. He is practicalist,
not an idealist.
Chas. w Eliot discourses, in a highly
interesting paper, upon the Family
Stocks in a Democracy The family as
he unit OF national greatness, is the ba
is Of his remarks, with its connection to
a democratic form of government.
Lack of space forbids a more extend~
ed review OF this excellent number of
the Forum,
Notes On Ghosts" by Andrew Long
is well written "The Humanities," by
Maj. J. w. Powell, an excellent COM
pound of solid matter; Frances Power
Cobbe's pity, genuine and spurious
meaty and we'll expressed. That much
mooted question ''Armorfor war-shipsn
is ably handled by Commander F. NJ.
Barber . man of experience and note,
and City growth, and Party Politics, >
by William Springer, concludes this Sc
ries of worthy contributions.