a common source, and most of them are interwoven like the fabrics of the loom. Hence the folly of supporting one by striking at another nearly akin to it. Hence the danger of building up one on the ruin of another. Nothing of value exists without reason. Nothing of value can be permanently overturned or beneficially changed without reason. Therefore, in espousing a cause, shaping an issue, or seeking a result, it is most important to know what other interests are affected, and how far you can antagonize them without endangering your own. It is easy to find in this work a review of those issues which bear on each other, whose discussion requires the recognition of others, whose successful solution demands the preservation of others. No agitation, however confined to the surface, ought to be ignored. But to be commended it ought to strike below the surface. To be effective it must rise from serious depths. It must break strata and give new form to things. But its directive energy should never be at fault. It should be as intelligent to create as it is desirous to destroy. Hence, we conceive that a work of this kind, and at this time may have a value far beyond books wedded to a single idea or a particular theory. It is not a book of advocacy, but a work of presentation. Its limit is to living issues, or to those things which men are struggling for in thought and hoping for in heart. Considering existing conditions, whatever their form, there is nothing so close to the common mind and to the universal welfare as the subjects contained in this volume. They are all such as the people themselves have made for the author, not such as the author may have selected for the people. The volume is far more the book of the American masses, looking toward light, striving for betterment, than the work of one seeking the fatherhood of pet doctrines or the exhibition of individual fancies. Fulness commensurate with the space at command has been sought. Frankness has been a constant aim. Disputation has been ignored. The historic method has been preferred. There is no issue without two or more sides. The sides are here given in calm review. The period is one of campaign, but not of passion; one of ferment, but not of revolution, at least not necessarily; or if so, of peaceful revolution. In a word, the author has striven to send forth an educative medium, agreeable to consult, safe to rely on, no matter what may be the preconceived notions of the reader. Of the timeliness of such a work there can be no manner of doubt. The issues here involved are pressing; so pressing, indeed, as to defy the tradition of political parties, to threaten peace and prosperity, and to demand such attention from legislators as they have been all too tardy to give. The more active the spirit of unrest, which is hardly else than the spirit of inquiry, the more promptly it should be met with the spirit of intelligence. Light diffused through a dark or confused situation is the most welcome light. It may dazzle at first, but it will be cheered in the end. We are all history makers, as well as makers of our individual and aggregate welfares. It is the part of unwisdom to hew and frame and build in darkness. Fortunately for the author, the publisher has come to his rescue with a beauty and wealth of illustration which adds greatly to the charm and value of the book. The most notable public men of the day are presented in living likeness within the compass of the volume, thus supplementing issues with champions and opponents, intensifying the interest of readers, and identifying argument with personality. This pleasing and instructive feature, will be found as agreeable in a work of this kind, and quite as much a part of its merits, as the elaborate art which is relied upon to commend volumes which are wholly descriptive, or whose popularity depends on the picturesque alone. CONTENTS. I. THE LABOR ISSUES. NUMBER AND Shape of Issues-Mood of LABOR-LABOr a Staple— 21 II. THE DOCTRINE OF FREE-TRADE. DEFINITION OF FREE-TRADE-PRINCIPLE OF A TARIFF-EARLY FREE- III. DOCTRINE OF PROTECTION. PRINCIPLE NOT IN DOUBT-PRACTICED BY ALL NATIONS-NECES- . 69 |