NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW

DECEMBER-JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1926-1927

FOREWORD

"AN institution is the lengthened shadow of one man, wrote Emerson.

THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW is an institution which is the lengthened shadow of its long line of editors and contributors. Its annals reach back to the early days of the Republic, though its inception followed briefly the closing of the last war between the English speaking nations of the earth.

The barriers of distance and slow communication of a century ago have been broken. Today the future of the world hangs upon the spirit moving the Anglo-Saxon race. To foster and cherish relations of comity, reserving freedom "to point out errors if they be found errors", and accepting in good part constructive, informed and honest criticism, will be our interpretation of the phrase which has been carried upon the title page and cover of THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW for generations.

Though of supreme value in fixing the tone of THE REVIEW, it is not needful here to call the roll of an earlier epoch, containing the great names of the literary world found within its pages. It will be our endeavor to maintain the honorable traditions impressed upon THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW through its life of one hundred and twelve years, to protect its literary destinies,

Copyright, 1926, by North American Review Corporation. All rights reserved.

and at the same time to reflect the spirit of the present while remaining loyal to the standards of the past.

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In 1865, Charles Eliot Norton, while Editor, wrote that must use the advantages which the times give us. There is an opportunity now to make THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW one of the means of developing the nation, of stimulating its better sense, of setting before it and holding up to it its own ideal, at least of securing expression for its clearest thought and most accurate scholarship.

Should there be other aim than to strive to "carry on" in this resolve?

The policy of fairness and freedom from prejudice which has prevailed from the beginning will be unchanged, and we shall seek "the eager, immediate, potent grapple with the topics which advance upon the thinker from the forum and the market.” W. B. M.

MAXIMS FOR 1928

BY GEORGE HARVEY

AN affirmative party does not thrive under passive guidance. Things do not happen; they have to be done.

Wanted by the Wets: An undiscernable formula.

TRADITIONAL POLICIES.-Republican: High tariffs for the advantage of manufacturers and wage earners; Federal supervision of domestic affairs. Democratic: Low tariffs for the benefit of consumers and farmers; State rights, home rule, personal liberty.

No statesman can withstand a mandate from his party to become its candidate for President. In politics, as in war, one need not volunteer, but none can escape the draft.

"Prosperity" is a double-edged slogan, excellent to have but ill to boast of, and if oversung is likely to stir resentment in the breasts of the many whose attention is thus directed to the better condition of the few more fortunate than themselves.

The piecing out of a deceased President's term is no longer considered a bar to a Vice-President's serving two full terms as President in his own right.

"Nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life and limb," declares the Constitution. Shall then the Volstead Act under which, by ruling of the Supreme Court, a person may be doubly convicted and doubly punished for the same offense by both the Federal and State Courts having "concurrent" jurisdiction, be held inviolable? My vigour relents,-I pardon something to the spirit of liberty. -EDMUND BURKE.

Modification of statutes providing measures of enforcement do not necessarily involve repudiation of Constitutional Amendments, be they numbered either XIV and XV or XVIII.

It is unwise to direct attention to marked improvement in the character of a political organization by denouncing its discarded practices.

That government alone is durable which rests upon the free will of the governed.-THOUGHTS OF A STATESMAN.

The chief need of high protective tariffs has moved South with the cotton and shoe factories, but neither Alabama nor North Carolina is likely to overcome their common obsession. Per contra, the loudest call for tariff reduction comes from the international bankers, but no serious diversion of campaign contributions from Wall Street is anticipated.

Few in public affairs act from a mere view of the good of their country, whatever they may pretend; and tho' their actings bring real good to their country, yet men primarily consider that their own and their country's interest is united, and do not act from a spirit of benevolence.-BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

A mere Opposition, however successful in an "off year", seldom resolves into a powerful unit if composed of irreconcilable elements.

The Republican party has never failed to elect a President following the election of a Republican House of Representatives in the preceding "off year". The Democratic victories in 1876, 1884, 1892, 1912 and 1916 also were presaged in like manner, the defeat of 1888 being the only exception to the rule. Republican "off-year" pluralities have ranged from 18 in 1922 to 144 in 1894. This year's actual working majority fell to a minimum, but thus far "enough" has "served."

In all matters having to do with the personal habits and customs of large numbers of our people, we must be certain that the established processes of legal change are followed. In no other way can the salutary object sought to be accomplished by great reforms of this

character be made satisfactory and permanent.-From President WILSON'S veto of the Volstead Act.

Never straddle in an off year.

Ever since it was ordered that man must earn his bread by the sweat of his brow, he has been trying to get the most bread for the least sweat.-STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.

If the next National election were to be held next month, the Republicans might not be able to re-elect President Coolidge, but the Democrats could-and probably would. And yet Senator James A. Reed of Missouri may be the Democratic candidate in 1928.

A fearful concatenation of circumstances.-Great Senator DANIEL WEBSTER.

"Thus," remarks The New York World, "George Harvey ten days ago referred to the off year contests as always showing a mechanical reaction against the Administration." Also more specifically to the inevitable defeat of Senator Butler and Senator Wadsworth and to an "abnormal" reaction this year, involving loss of the Senate and a "greatly diminished" majority in the House. Psychology, not figures, speaks true prophecy in American elections.

“QUI HÆRIT IN LITERA, HÆRIT IN CORTICE!", as the lawyers say.