New-York tribune., 1908-12-29
BRYCE TO HISTORIANS
Leading Uriters and Educators
Hear ambassador.

Washington Dec. g-A notable assemolase
gathered here tonight IN attendance upon the
twenty-fourth annual meeting OF the American
Historical Association. which met toiGtiy Win
the American Political Science Association, the
latter organization having held preliminary ses-
sion this afternoon. Eminent historians and pro-
fezsors Of political science representing the lead
ing universities sad colleges OF the country were
present
A large audience listened for more than an hour
TO an address The Relations OF Politicai
Science TO History and to Practice by James
Bryce the British Ambassador and president Of
the American Political Science Association The
joint meeting was held the New willard Hotel
Ambassador Bryce presiding.
The ambassador observed that. although the
nar me political science had become well estab-
Hshed these who pursued the study would he the
last persons assert that # was science in the
same sense mathematics. mechanics or physics.
or n1eteorology. which. though stiIl innper-
fectlv known. could be described as an exact
science The precision which belonged TO the vari-
Gus branches OF insairy Into natural phenomena,
he said. was wanting in these branches which
dealt with human phenomena
In calling politics science said Mr. Bryce
mo than this was meant, that there is con-
stancy and uniformity in the tendencies OF human
nature which enable TO group and connect and
examine the acts of being the result OF per
manent factors
Outlining and illustrating the way IN which po-
Iitical tendencies institutions might be treated
SO as 70 be instructive and interesting and dwell
ing the Importance of critical method and on
the need OF disengaging distinguishing the per
sonaI factor the ambassador deprecated the
method Of handling the subject as a set OF aostrac-
tions- Passing the practical utilities OF poIiti-
cal science. he considered to what purposes the
possession of it might be turned by a practical
statesman and how il might be made available for
the benefit OF the citizens generally or at any
rate Of the class most interested politics and
intellectually most alert.
MI Bryce observed that proper comprehension
OF political history might men from being the
victims Of abstract phrases and catch words might
reduce the fluctuations OF public opinion due 10
temporary passion. might reduce the influence OF
selfish interests might correct the excess OF fac
tious spirit might tend keep within reasonable
limits national pride and national vanity and the
tendency TO disparage other nations. all, in fact.
that called nationalism in Europe and had
there become 50 unduly powerful He continued.
But the science Of history and politics, while It
m Ssiys W JT oxitya ~ ana aTthnrifstre cel1seIs on
current political questions About these the philo-
sophie students of history are Just as much dIvld-
ed among themselves as ordinary citizens. They
cherish vain hopes Of introducing the
certitude or authority OF science into controver-
sal politics All that can ne done IS 70 neaIp 70
form the intellect and tempers and attitude OF
small minority. and in some countries a very small
minority. within the nation This they may
achieve taking hope from the fact that their SCI
ence. though inexact. is experimental and
eTssfe because every yeaT ADDS to them and
nowhere is the field Of observation vide as in
America.
To-night's session was confined entirely 10 the
address OF Mr.. Bryce. at the close OF which the
members Of the two associations and their families
attended a reception given in their honor by Am
bassador and Mrs Bryce at the British Embassy
Mr Bryce also presided at the fifth annual reet-
ing of the American Political Science Association
this afternoon The general topic for consideration
was The Increase Of Federal influence and Power
in the United States" one Of the principal papers
Tz7r N~f-iT mi n
ada on The Limitations Of the Federal Govern
ment''