The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-15
H1sroRIcA1 TRITING on THE soUrH
Valuable Treatise Of President Tyler on
Parties and Patronage.


Parties and Patronage IN the United
States" by Lyon G.. Tyler, N. A.. short
but interesting contribution 70 the history Of
orr common country. deserves for two reasons
fuller notice than We are able TO give.
The first is that 1t presents tho subject OF
which il treats-the growth of the spons doc
trine-in a fresh. scholarly and instructive
manner The second. because It's appearance
gives added encouragement 10 the belief that
the South is beginning 10 produce "a class OF
writer's in q field hitherto almost entirely neg
lected by her sons Tho South has been pre-
eminent in the field of social aud political
writing.
IRON Madison. Jefferson and their contem-
poraries 10 John Taylor OF Caroline. Calhoun,
Bledsoe. Dabney and. 10 our times. Bruce.
contributions 30 political and social polemics
were largely from southern pens. Since 1868
her sons, and daughters too, have earned in
the fields or imaginative writing rank which
has been as deserved As u has been rapid.
Historical productions of real value, however.
have had few Southern men as their authors.
IN would seem as If this repr0ach Will now
soon be removed. From his quiet. retired
home in Nelson county Alexander Brown.
ESQ. has recently published the most nota-
bic work on the history Of the nlted States
that has appeared since Bancroits last
volume.
Professor Tyler would be tie first 20 ex-
claim against such terms OF praise being ne
slowed upon his modest volume II hundred
and thrty-five pages But ia Its narrower
scope IL is certainly a permanent contribution
10 the history Of one of the greatest evils
that threaten republican Institutions.
His thesis is that the party Ot strict con-
struction OF tue Constitution Is necessarily tho
ant-spolls party. Ia the first p ace. al ex-
tension OF the powers oil the General Govern
meut must Involve an increase ~ the Offices
10 restrict the rights OF tho State By ex-
handing tie powers of the central Govern
nent II was necessary 4 reward the parti-
sans who had contributed 20 the victory.
! oose construction OF the Goa tuition was
followed by its attendant train. reckless
specu alton. base corruption and wild parti-
sanshlp.
The ederal party first sanctioned the view
that public Offices were the rewar Is Of party
service Iii is certain that there is not a
SINGLE feature Of the 'spOils system as prac-
ticed by Jackson. or at any other period Of
our history that had not us prototype in the
decade immediately preceding the close Of
the eighteenth century"
The advent Of Jefferson was tho downfall
OF such base views. His example was faith
fully Il lowed ty the succeeding \irgnian
policy and its effect upon the distribution OF
the public Offices as rewards for party services
are FULLY described by Professor Tyler
The last twenty-five pages Of this volume
are devoted 10 succinct and careful account
Of the struggle during President Tylers adj
ministration over the chartering Of the Bank
Of the United States. Much new matter will
be found in this brief presentation.
We know no greater instruction and pleas
sl..s
russl of this thoughtful and interesting work.
w. K. NJ.