The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-15


That part OF the book which directs
notice to the American spirit of self -direc-
uon deals, we need scarcely say, with our
political structure, national, State and mu-
nicipal. with the dynamic effect Of public
opinion thereon. and with our internal
and external political problems. Nothing
IN this section OF the volume deserves sucn
careful consideration as what the author
las 20 say about the influence OF public
opinion IN the United States. He does
not hesitate to aver that the organized
political parties with all their paraphernalia,
constitute merely the lower house OF the
nation, whereas public opinion IS the upper
house. exercising selective function
and veto power. These two houses, taken
together. form the entire national political
life, In a way, the parties express guam
titatively the viii Of the nation. while
public opinion does 1t qualltatyely. When
ever cumulative expression Is wanted
the i,-ttes must DO sharply contrasted, il
order to separate clearly the adherents
Of each, all fine shades and distinctions
have 70 bo sacrificed TO an artificial clear
ness Of definition. much as is done ia me-
ohanics wnen any motion is automatically
telegram of two other forces The great
advantage Of the lower house. formed by
political parties, j that its deliberations
can be brought TO an end and It's debates
concluded. Every political election is such
a provisional result. Public opinion, on
the other nand. accepts no abstract and
art II ,ial schemauzatiOns, but considers
the reality in all its complications, and IN
Its discussions gives no weight TO any show
az hands or other demonstration of mere
numbers Cras, contrast. do not exist here.
but only subtle shading, men ara not
grouped a. friends and foes but they are
seen TO differ merely in their breadth Of
outlook their knowledge their energy.
and their 5nglene-s OF heart. The end
IN view Is not 10 rush politics but TO reform
politics. and in oil matters to shape public
events to national ideals. Here one vote
is not like another; but single word, wisely
and oonscicnuously spoken, If heard above
the babel OF thousands. And here the best
men OF tho nation have to show thorn
selves. not with programmes or harangues
but with quiet force which shapes and
unitts public opinion and eventually carries
ell parties before IT,.
Prof. Mdasterberg points out that public
opinion may be responsible now for Presi-
dental veto on a bill of Congress. now for
the sudden eclipse Of party leader or the
dropping Of a list of candidates, or. again
il may divide a party Ia the Legislature
In a word, public opinion forces the parties
in spite OF themselves to make mere party
advantage secondary TO a maturer states
mauship Oar authors optimism, however
does not carry him go far as TO make him as
sumo that public opinion In the United States
j. the quirtc-seHce Of pure goodness or pure
wisdom. He recognizes that public opinion
N this country would be no true indication
Of the forces ut work in the nation If 1t did
not represent all the essentials OF the typical
American. In order 10 find this typical
man 1t would be misleading simply 10 take
the average Of the millions. On the con-
trary, one must leave out Of account the
great herd Of colorless characters and select
the man who harmoniously combines in
himself, without exaggeration. the most
striking pecularities OF his oountrymen
He Is not easy 10 find. since eocentricity Is
frequent, one man Is grotcsquely patriotic
another moral 10 intolerance. another
insipidly compliment and another too Opt
mistic "a be earnest or too aoquisiiive b
be Just. Yet such hss been Prof. Nan
sterherg's experience one goes about
much In American society one finds oneself
now and then, not only in New York or
Boston or Washington, but quite as well
in some small city u the West in q little