The Failure of Universal Suffrage by Francis Parkman

University of Northern Iowa
The Failure of Universal Suffrage Author(s): Francis Parkman Source: The North American Review, Vol. 127, No. 263 (Jul. - Aug., 1878), pp. 1-20 Published by: University of Northern Iowa Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25100650 . Accessed: 11/10/2013 02:38
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NORTH AMERICAN
No. CCLXIII.
JULY-AUGUST, I.
REYIEW.
1878.
THEFAILURE OFUNIVERSAL S?FFRAGE.

In different times and countries, patriotism has different work to do. For the last two or three centuries its business has usually been the bridling of tyrants, the dethroning of arbitrary kings and the setting up of constitutional ones, or the getting rid of kings in the extension of popular liberties at the ex ; short, altogether pense of the wearers of crowns and bearers of sceptres. Going farther back, we see another state of things. Toward the end of the middle ages we find the relations of kings and peoples the re verse of what they afterward became. We find oppression divided in the persons of a multitude and diffused of feudal tyrants, and the masses The feudal looking to their sovereign as a protector. was both his enemy and theirs, and the progress of oppressor monarchical centralization was in the interest both of prince and It was not until feudalism was prostrate that the masses peasant. ceased to bless their sovereign as a friend, and began to curse him
as a tyrant.
farther back in the centuries we find feudalism itself a which not in could have been the part acting spared reorganiza tion of society. The foe of one generation is the friend of another, and there is scarcely a form of government so bad that it has not, a worse or a better. at some time, prevented prepared for Still
vol. cxxvn.-?no. 263 1
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It is but lately, then, that crowns and sceptres have been de as enemies of the rights of man ; but the war against nounced so hotly, and has left such vigorous tradi them has been waged is still raised in quarters tions behind it, that the same battle-cry where the foe has been driven off the field and utterly annihilated ; where the present danger is not above but beneath, and where the real tyrant is organized craft, and ignorance, led by unscrupulous the of amid under the fools, applause flag of equal marching, in than and be better One employed hooting might rights. at But dead stones the of and buried privilege. ghost throwing it second has made Habit is safe and popular. the amusement of oratorical for the and it excellent occasion nature, display gives to the people, and the The transfer of sovereignty fireworks. and social the panacea of political whole people, is proclaimed are we has that and but reminded ills, popular sovereignty rarely itself to exercise evils of its own, against which patriotism may that perhaps Here and there one hears a whisper better purpose. but the the masses have not learned how to use their power; is greeted with obloquy. whisper our own country, where no royalty is We speak, of course, of one that bears the name of left to fear, except the many-headed concourse its of courtiers, Demos, with sycophants, portentous live on its favors, and pretend most Those who and panders. to it, have been heard of late warning us to beware, and devotion " us that Demos is a dangerous beast," whose caprices it telling behooves us to humor, lest he should turn and rend us. Far be it Let others call him beast :we are from us to echo this treason. his subject, and will but touch with reverence a few flaws in his
armor.
and sensible monarch, who had a Once he was a reasonable and ruled himself and his realm with notion of good government, and moderation wisdom ; but prosperity has a little turned his and and foreign barbarians, all armed with of native hordes head, him that he begins to lose his wits the ballot, have so bewildered and forget his kingcraft. to any considerable a king makes himself When oppressive to consider whether he not while is worth it his of part subjects, in the wears one head or millions he sits enthroned ; whether a in or ward-room his smokes his of ancestors, pipe filthy palace
THE FAILURE among
OF UNIVERSAL
SUFFRAGE.
if we are to be like himself. Nevertheless, blackguards were we rather the would oppressor clean, and, if we oppressed, are to be robbed, we like to be robbed with civility. is a Demos can and can put on many be He be Protean monarch, shapes. or terrible ; but of late we have of tener seen him nign, imposing, under his baser manifestations, keeping vile company, and doing The his best to shake our loyalty by strange, unkingly pranks. in great part are a worst things about him are his courtiers, who crew, abject flatterers, vicious counselors, and greedy disreputable in morals, and in most their master ; behind things plunderers let him alone, Demos If the politicians would else but cunning. and of the average intelligence would be the exact embodiment as a and he deluded of worth is, he perverted great people ; but, than his real self. falls below this mark, and passes for worse as that his evil counselors were all exterminated Yet, supposing us soon avail it would for he would choose little, they deserve, others like them, under the influence of notions which, of late, is the master, have got the better of his former good sense. He is answerable for all, and, if he is He and can do what he will. to blame but himself. In fact, he is ill-served, he has nobody his other like certain of nobles, and, jealous kings before him, loves to raise his barber, his butcher, and his scullion, to places of power. They yield him divine honor, proclaim him infallible as the pope, and call his voice the voice of God ; yet they befool is the type of collective and cheat him not the less. He folly as as well as collective well as wisdom, and ignorance knowledge, In short, he is utterly mor collective frailty as well as strength. tal, and must rise or. fall as he is faithful or false to the great laws that regulate the destinies of men. " or more ago, a cry of " Eureka A generation ! rose over all the land, or rather over all the northern part of it. It was the trium its king. The enthusiasm had phant acclaim of a nation hailing its focus in New England, at that time, perhaps, the most success ful democracy on earth?a fact which, however, was mainly to be ascribed to wholesome had which become of the traditions, part saw life. These the and the foun popular jubilants overlooked, tain of all political and social blessings in the beneficent sway of an absolute Demos that is to in the uncurbed exercise of ; say, " " the inalienable right of man to govern himself. A little cloud,
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no bigger than a man's hand, rose above the sea, the presently herald of an invasion of peasants. With this in-pouring of labor came railroads, factories, and a thousand prolific industries, which hands could not have awakened heads without or sustained. rabid in increased, wealth grew apace ;men became Population and women in frivolous it. same The making money, spending influences were at work through all the Northern States. A vast an immense industrial development, rested safely for prosperity, a while on the old national traditions, love of country, respect for Then began the inevita law, and the habit of self-government. ble strain. Crowded and ignorant cities, where the irresponsible were numerically or more to than the equal, rest, and where equal, the weakest and most worthless was a match, by his vote, for the wisest and best ; bloated wealth and envious poverty ; a tinseled a civilization and discontented beneath?all above, proletariat these have broken rudely upon the dreams of equal brotherhood once "cherished by those who made their wish the father of their and fancied that this favored land formed an exception thought, to the universal laws of human nature. They cried out for ele masses have sunk lower. but the the masses, vating They called of wealth, but wealth has gathered for the diffusion into more
numerous and portentous accumulations. Two enemies, unknown
before, have risen like spirits of darkness on our social and politi cal horizon?an and a half-taught ignorant proletariat plutocracy. still numerous and strong, in Between lie the classes, happily
whom rests our salvation.
these we must look for the sterling ability and worth of the nation, sometimes in wealth, now and then in poverty ; but are for the most part in neither the one nor the other. the They and the natural friends natural enemies of the vulgar plutocrat, of all that is best in the popular heart ; but, as they neither flatter, of lie, nor bribe, they have little power over these barbarians civilization that form the substratum of great industrial commu nities. of our fathers, and so it is of our Liberty was the watchword masses selves. in of the nation cherish their the But, hearts, To desires not only different from it, but inconsistent with it. They want there is a than they want Now, liberty. equality more a real and intrinsic one. Rank, and factitious titles, inequality
THE FAILURE
OF UNIVERSAL
SUFFRAGE.
and wealth, make up the first ; and character, ability, privileges, of wealth, and culture, the second. Excepting only the distinctions we have abolished the artificial inequality, and now we are doing and half uncon what we can to abolish the real one. Vaguely masses more the and but more, every day hug the flat sciously, man is essentially about as good as another. one that illusion tering in the quality of They will not deny that there is great difference A horses or dogs, but they refuse to see it in their own genus. a democrat in the street, but he is sure to be an be may jockey aristocrat in the stable. And yet the essential difference between man and man horse is incomparably greater than that between sur or below the and horse, dog and dog ; though, being chiefly see can it. face, the general eye hardly and mole-hills, deserts and fertile valleys, and all Mountains are but types of in of the universal Nature, inequality inequality men. turn it into barrenness, To level the outward world would to one stature would make them barren and to level human minds as well. is the history The history of the progress of mankind are hardly left to themselves, of its leading minds. The masses, even and that material of progress, progress, except imper capable the long course of history, a few men, to be fectly. Through counted by scores or by tens, have planted in the world the germs itself through of a growth whose beneficent vitality has extended in value all succeeding ages ; and any one of these men outweighs to mankind of nobles, citizens, and peasants, who have myriads and then rotted into oblivion. fought or toiled in their generation, one Conde used to say that a thousand frogs were not worth The saying, as he meant salmon. it, was false, but there is a sense in which it is true, though it tells the truth but feebly and imperfectly. The highest man may comprehend the lowest, but the lowest can no more than if he belonged the to comprehend highest another order of beings, ^is for some purposes he practically does. A single human mind may engender the com thoughts which bined efforts of millions of lower intelligences cannot conceive. This is not the faith of Demos. In his vague way, he fancies that aggregated and weakness will bear the fruits of ignorance wisdom. to think that science, thought, and study, He begins are old-time illusions ; that everybody has a right to form his own
THE NOBTH
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BEVIEW.
as to whether is round or flat, and that the the world opinion to the question. settle votes of the majority ought We have said that intrinsic equality is inconsistent with liberty. It is so because, in order to produce it, very unequal opportunities must be granted to different kinds of mind and of development an even to refused human and distributive character, justice nature. The highest must be repressed and the lowest stimulated In such an attempt no politi in order to produce a level average. succeed ; but in so far as it cal or social system can completely If it could succeed, or tends this way it is false and pernicious. an outrage upon humanity. to it be would success, approach so as nearly, perhaps, as is possible ; Asiatic despotisms have done but the Amuraths.and Bajazets will hardly be thought fit exam can no more succeed in produc Democracy ples for emulation. can do prodigious mischief it a than but level they did, by ing " one. It to that it is only may pretend leveling produce trying sound means leveling down upward," but this phrase of pleasing are raised as ward also ; for, if the lower strata of humanity high as their nature and the inexorable conditions of human life will till the upper strata are still be no equality permit, there will meet to them. down pushed was complete, and where all men had A society where liberty to their several of according development, equal opportunities all kinds ; like the of diversities immense would show qualities, tallest trees and the humblest shrubs, vegetable world, where the and wholesome, all grow and poisonous crawling, plants climbing ele out of the same soil and are formed of the same essential are the nature of human ments. So the essential elements same, and controlled in such different proportion, but mixed by such that they often result less in resemblances different tendencies, than in contrasts. tends to a Shall we look for an ideal society in that which men like a treats and barren average cattle, weary uniformity, counts them by the head, and gives them a vote apiece without or not they have the sense to use it ; or in that asking whether between man and man, the inherent differences which recognizes to character and intelligence, of the power preponderance gives free through all circulation removes artificial barriers, keeps yet it appears with added in its parts, and rewards merit wherever
THE FAILURE
01
UNIVERSAL
SUFFRAGE.
fluence ? This, of course, is a mere idea, never to be fully real at what a republic aims, and vast difference ized ; but it makes on or on it builds worth. The methods numbers whether by it tries to reach its mark may be more or less effective, but which that the mark should be a true one. it is all-important of indiscriminate The success of an experiment suffrage hangs on the question whether is able the better part of the community are certain to outweigh There social conditions, the worse. and a civilization rarely to be found except in small communities in this which not the most advanced, question may be answered as and lux in the affirmative ; but, numbers, wealth, confidently is It the with them. ury increase, difficulty grows aggravated by to the fact, generally competent "by those most acknowledged and civilization that intellectual of it, development high judge so that the unintelligent are not favorable to fecundity, classes, in faster than actual those when destitution, except multiply Thus the power of ignorance tends to increase, or above them. rather the power of the knaves who are always at hand to use it. is to say, of A New England village of the olden time?that some forty years ago?would have been safely and well governed in it ; but, now that the village has by the votes of every man a its factories and workshops, into with its grown populous city,
acres of tenement-houses, and thousands and ten thousands of
for the most part, to whom restless workmen, foreigners liberty means to whom license and politics means plunder, the public and their own most trivial interests everything, good is nothing who love the country for what they can get out of it, and whose ears are open to the promptings of every rascally agitator, the a case is completely and universal changed, suffrage becomes we are told it is an inalienable Still questionable right. blessing. an instant that it were so, wild as the supposition is. Suppose for as well as the individual, and it has The community has rights It is both its right and its duty to provide good also duties. for itself, and, the moment the vote of any person or government an class of persons becomes obstacle to its doing so, this person or class forfeits the right to vote ; for, where the rights of a part clash with the rights of the whole, the former must give way. a man has not sense to at When the questions comprehend a a see own or from true know bad candidate his issue, good one,
THE NOBTH
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BEVIEW.
interests?when he cares not a farthing for the general good, and sell his vote for a dollar?when, will by a native instinct, he throws up his cap at the claptrap declamation of some lying or dislike from the voice of indifference knave, and turns with a public pest. and vote reason?then his becomes Some honesty uses a and him. it is him, body profits by Probably demagogue, a priest, or In any case, it is folly to call possibly possibly both. him a free agent. His inalienable right may perhaps be valu able to him for the bribe he gets out of it ; but it makes him a and a danger to the state. nuisance It causes pulpit, platform, and press, to condone his vices, and debauch the moral sense of the people by discovering of sympathy in vagabonds, objects and It to ruffians. the communistic attack thieves, gives power on property, and makes it difficult to deal with outbreaks of brutal violence against which even humanity itself demands meas ures of the most stern and exemplary repression. Universal suffrage, imposed upon the country by the rivalries of contending parties bidding against each other for votes, has " into a since been promoted principle," regarded by many per sons as almost sacred. This so-called principle, however, is by no means of universal in the and, when wrong application, applied Distribute ballot-boxes place, at once reduces itself to absurdity. or those of the among the subjects of King John of Abyssinia set to them of and Khan Kelat, govern themselves by the full exercise of their inalienable rights, and our panacea would result in anarchy. Universal suffrage is applicable only to those peo if who character and such there are, by ples, training are prepared is as to the degree of prep for it ; and the only rational question serve the purpose. In any case, preparation aration that will must be the work of time. There must be hereditary traditions some in of self-government. exists Universal suffrage European a and nations, and exists along with high degree of civilization in a and the but these traditions material forces of ; prosperity are extremely an centralized government and the evils of strong, ignorant or vicious vote are held in check by powers of resistance which are unknown here. Yet even in these countries the final of the experiment are, and well may be, the objects of deep anxiety. are told that, to make a bad voter a We good one, we have results
THE FAILURE
OF UNIVERSAL
SUFFRAGE.
is not merely His defect, however, intel only to educate him. that his own It consists also in the want of the feeling lectual. and in the interests are connected with those of the community, and political or absence of the sense of moral weakness duty. and arithmetic. The evil is not to be cured by reading, writing, all it is capable of The public school may cram his brain with no whit the better citizen for the pro be will and he containing, cess. train instead of cramming him, lay the founda It might and teach him something of political tion of a sound morality, is more difficult than that and social duty ; but such education and ability in those now in vogue, and demands more judgment must be the first step ; and teacher the it. To teach who conduct as with connected in else public education, we here, everything To whom have we in a vicious circle. find ourselves moving the interests ? They demand intrusted these high and delicate and and the best conscience of the community best intelligence ; and legislatures yet their control rests, in the last resort, with in that which bodies very public part representing municipal" the most?wretched, needs education wire-pulling demagogues, as the constituencies that chose them, reckless of public ignorant is. the faintest notion of what true education duty, and without rests the only hope of democracies In such education ; but it is vain to look for it unless the wiser half of the public can regain its virtual control. The results thus far of our present style of popular education are not flattering. That portion of young America which has and to show its from humble sprung ignorant parentage ought as a it but doubted effects most conspicuously be ; may whether, a or better citizen Irish-American is safer the young general rule, He can read ; but he reads nothing than his parent from Cork. which fill him but sensation stories and scandalous picture-papers, a and enfeeble would with preposterous notions, stronger brain He is generally less than his and debauch a sounder conscience. industrious than his sire, and equally careless of the public good. Those who bray loudest for inalienable rights extol the ballot as an education in itself, capable of making good citizens out of there is a meas Under certain conditions, the poorest material. ure of truth in this. An untaught and reckless voter, enveloped the bet by honest and rational ones, is apt to change greatly for
10
THE NOBTH
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BEVIEW.
ter ; but, to this end, it is essential that those whom the ballot is and surrounded by healthy in to educate should be segregated extensive districts and, notably, large portions of fluences. When of imported cities are filled by masses and populous ignorance the whole ferments evil till the ineptitude, hereditary together then insufferable. The ballot to educates mischief. grows only If the voter has a conscience, he votes it away. His teacher is or his greed, and out of a on his prejudices demagogue who plays a bad citizen makes him a worse. Witness the municipal corrup of negro rule in South tions of New York, and the monstrosities
Carolina.
is the price of liberty; but it has It is said that vigilance no less essential. It demands moderation. It another condition must stand on the firm ground, avoid rash theorizing and sweeping that reason and follow the laws of development generalization, on its past. must out. its and experience It build future point it rushes deliriously it is rush after dazzling abstractions, When must not in it be its ruin. In the vile toward short, practical, ing sense in which that word is used by political in the but sharpers, men. sense in which it is used by thoughtful and high-minded There is an illusion, or a superstition, among us respecting the The means are confounded with the end. Good govern ballot. is worthless ment is the end, and the ballot except so far as it man would reasonable to reach this end. willingly helps Any a piece of paper into a box, renounce his privilege of dropping were assured to him and his de that good government provided
scendants.
of them, that The champions of indiscriminate suffrage?such in triumph to is, as deign to give reasons for their faith?point the last the prosperity which the country has enjoyed till within a unlimited the few years, and proclaim it result of power of the masses. and half been founded had This prosperity, however, rolled in upon us. built up before the muddy tide of ignorance to us by our It rests on the institutions and habits bequeathed to has continued fathers ; and, if until lately the superstructure in a not and it in is of debased consequence rise, suffrage, spite of it. With and more apparent reason, we still more confidence, are told to look at the the civil war. great popular uprising of in its itself revealed aspect. Here, grandest indeed, democracy
THE FAILURE
OF UNIVERSAL
SUFFRAGE.
and elements had not then reached the volume The degrading The issue was definite and force that they have reached to-day. The Union was to be saved, and popular government distinct. There were no doubts and no complications. Vic vindicated. meant and defeat national meant national disinte tory integrity, nation Above all, the cause had its visible emblem?the gration. and hundreds of thousands of eyes were al flag ; and thousands We heard a great turned upon it in ardent and loving devotion. " The bayonets did deal at that time about bayonets." thinking not think, nor did those who carried them. They did what was did not call for more to the purpose?they The emergency felt. were there in abun and both faith and for but courage, thought, or pretended to change dance. The political reptiles hid away, air was purged as by a their nature, and for a time the malarious intricate and thunder-storm. Peace brought a change. Questions brains more than hearts, and discretion more difficult, demanding to be or not than valor, took the place of the simple alternative, to be. The lion had had his turn, and now the fox, the jackal, and the wolf, took theirs. trickster, whom sly political Every the storm had awed into obscurity, now found his opportunity. and infested caucuses, The reptiles crawled out again, multiplied, But the the saddest and conventions, Congress. people were same so that had shown itself in the the heroic people spectacle ; trial were now perplexed, hour of military tossed be bewildered, tween sense and folly, right and wrong, mounte advice of taking their filthy nostrums. The head of De banks, and swallowing mos was as giddy as his heart had been strong. But why descant on evils past cure ? Indiscriminate suffrage is an accomplished Then why not fact, and cannot be undone. " somehow or side, and hope that, accept it, look on the bright in all will well be the end ? Because the recognition of other," an evil must go before its cure, and because there is too much into beliefs, and already of the futile optimism that turns wishes in every tone of sickly commonplace discourses about popular brotherhood. Beneath it all lies an anxious rights and universal sense of present and approaching evil. Still the case is not yet The is full of desperate. force, latent just country recuperative so now, and kept so by the easy and apathetic good-nature which our people. marks This is not the which strangely quality by
12
THE NOBTH
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BEVIEW.
liberty is won and kept, and yet popular orators and preachers do it. Prominent their best to perpetuate among obstacles to reform is this weary twaddle of the optimists. It is well to be reminded how far we have sundered ourselves of republics?intelligence from the only true foundation and The evil is not to be cured by hiding it, worth. away turning our eyes from it, or pretending that it is a blessing. If it is to it must be first looked in the face. All nations be overcome, have in them some element of decay. Systems and peoples have the eyes and perished, and not one was ever saved by shutting that all was for the best. reason will Faith without murmuring us to and destruction, only beguile Liberty may elope while we are bragging most of her favors. We believe that our present evils are not past cure, and that, if the sound and rational part of the people can be made to feel that the public wounds need sur it. gery, they will find means of applying we look for deliverance Under what shall ? It is easy shape to say where we need not look for it. To dream of a king would or rather an oli set up an oligarchy, We might be ridiculous. one it set itself would be made but ; up up of the garchy might bonanza and the the "railroad Croesus?a "boss," tyranny king," as that of the rankest democracy, with and degrading detestable is the accom it would The low politician which be in league. and the low voter is the ready tool of plice of the low plutocrat, to help us ; but, both. There are those who call on imperialism cure to be possible, we should rue the day this heroic supposing be nothing but a that brought us to it. Our emperor would on a throne, forced to conciliate the masses by giving demagogue efficacy to their worst desires. the repub There is no hope but in purging and strengthening A lic. The remedy must be slow, not rash and revolutionary. at of the is the bottom debased and irresponsible evil, suffrage that do not directly and immedi but the state is sick of diseases is due to the detestable Something ately spring from this source. the spoils, and the fatuity that maxim that to the victor belong incessant rota makes office the reward of party service, demands as he has learned as soon of the dismisses the servant tion, public to the to serve it well, prefers the interests of needy politicians on trickery and dis interests of the whole people, sets a premium
THE FAILURE
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SUFFRAGE.
13
the scraps and marrow-bones courages faithful industry. When of office are flung down to be scrambled for, the dogs are sure to get the lion's share. Never was there a more damning allegation against popular than was made unwittingly by the popularity-loving government of a certain State, who, talking for reform in one breath Governor that good admin and against it in the next, said in substance in monarchies, be expected but that with us the istration might of public affairs is in the hands of the people, conduct and it that to complain of bad civil service is to arraign democracy : sit in Let us emulate this worthy gentleman self. smiling and serene despair, banish reflection, and drift placidly down the tide, as we go. It is thus that republics are brought to their fishing and the courage to ruin. What the times need are convictions, and determined The hope lies in an organized enforce them. effort to rouse the better half of the people to a sense that honest and trained capacity, in our public service, is essential to our well system is being, and that the present odious and contemptible in the interest the not of and of the whole. There few, kept up in the of and is much, too, organization legislative municipal bodies which might be changed in the interest of honesty against knavery, and of ability against artifice, without involving any at " so a tack against inalienable rights." Yet, long as debased suf the snake is scotched, frage retains its present power for mischief, a of the people become not killed. When convinced majority no that aggregate of folly can produce sense, and no aggregate of can produce honesty, and when worthlessness they return to the ancient faith that sense and honesty are essential to good govern then it will become possible?not, to ment, perhaps, peaceably to counteract and so far neutralize abolish a debased suffrage?but and cease to be a danger. it that it may serve as a safety-valve are prophets of evil who see in the disorders There that in volve us the precursors of speedy ruin ; but complete disruption and anarchy are, we may hope, still far off, thanks to an immense The immediate vitality and an inherited conservative strength. : in is this the nation the of Is its lofty way question keeping its sublime the best in promise, realizing possibilities, advancing terests of humanity, to ennoble and not vulgarize and helping the world ? Who dares answer that it is ?
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THE NOBTH
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Great fault is found with men of education and social posi withdraw from life and because abandon the tion, public they field to men half taught and sans aveu. Tried by the standard of ideal perfection they ought, for the good of the country, to sacrifice into the inclination, peace, and emolument, go down arena, and jostle with the rest in the scrub-race of American poli tics, even if victory brings them no prize which they greatly care to win. Those who to-day save our politics Such men we have. from absolute discredit do so, in one degree or another, at a per If the conflicts and the rewards of public sonal sacrifice. life to attract them, they have also a great deal to have something the arts of political manage They enter a career where repel. ment are of more avail than knowledge, training, and real ability ; the politician carries the day and not or, in other words, where the statesman ; where fitness for a high place is not the essential success must often be bought condition of reaching it, and where to them. The public service is paid repugnant by compliances such profit and honor as neither by profit nor by honor, except those best fitted to serve the public hold in slight account. It is to in the walks is life that be of honor found political highest only at all. For the rest, it might almost be said that he who enters the burden of proof to show that he is them throws on himself an honest man. More and more, we drift into the condition of " the post of honor is a private those unhappy countries where " there is no civilized nation station ; and perhaps at this moment on earth of which this saying holds more true. Out of this springs a double evil : bad government first, and then an increasing difficulty in regaining a good one. Good gov or restored unless the instructed ernment cannot be maintained and developed intellect of the country is in good degree united The present tendency is to with political habits and experience. it and from them this of divorce ; process separation, begun long a gener on now more ever. Within ago, is moving rapidly than The ation the quality of public men has sunk conspicuously. masses have grown impatient of personal eminence, and look for leaders as nearly as may be like themselves. Young men of the as a career. best promise have almost ceased to regard politics the Union was in When This is not from want of patriotism. to its defense with more danger there were none who hastened
THE FAILURE
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SUFFRAGE.
15
to serve their country in a ardent and devoted gallantry, rejoicing was and not by trickery. to be served by manhood field where it were private their and sheathed Peace citi came, they swords, zens again. in die would the service, but they public They would not live in it. In fact, the people did not want them there. The qualities are discarded for of the most highly gifted and highly cultivated are easier of popular comprehension, and cheaper qualities, which Therefore the strongest incentive which do not excite jealousy. to youthful fame, is felt least by ambition, the hope of political those who, for the good of the country, ought to feel it most. A century The natural results follow. of ago three millions and statesman the wise, considerate, temperate people produced is built. Now we are forty mill ship on which our nationality these forty millions ions, and what sort of statesmanship produce The germs of good states let the records of Congress show. are among us in abundance, but they are not developed, manship and, under our present system and in the present temper of our The conditions of human people, they cannot be developed. to trace, but one thing is reasonably sure : greatness are difficult it will not grow where it is not wanted. It may be found in a that demands the service of its best and ablest, but not republic in one that prefers indifferent service of indifferent men, and itself with the notion that this is democratic pleases equality. The irrepressible who in every disease of discovers optimist, the state a blessing in disguise, will say that eminent abilities are in democracies. We commend him to a short study unnecessary of the recent doings of Congress, and, if this cannot dispel his same illusion, in one This illusion, his case is beyond hope. all realm of the shape or another, is wide-spread Demos, through where we sometimes hear the value of personal eminence of any kind openly called in question, on the ground that the object of is the good of the many and not of the few. popular government This is true, but it remains to ask what the good of the many re It does not require that the qualities most to essential quires. the conduct of national affairs should be dwarfed and weakened ; but that they should be developed as a to the utmost, not merely condition of good government, but because they are an education to the whole people. To admire a brazen demagogue sinks the
16
THE NOBTH
AMEBICAN
BEVIEW.
Exam and to admire a patriot statesman elevates them. masses, encour if is than is better average humanity schooling ; and, ple that there is nobody essentially much above aged in the belief own level. A low standard means its not rise above it will itself, of the strata into which civilized In everyone low achievement. divided be there are men capable of a must of necessity society to is those whom Nature has so fa and it injustice higher place, to which vored not to show them the heights may aspire. they are the factitious heights see of do What enough clearly they and office ; what they need also to see are those of human wealth nature in its loftiest growth. To stand in the is judged by its best products. A nation race human to must the it foremost great types of rank, give new No to of the world. the and add treasury manhood, thought extent of territory, no growth of population, no material prosper as substi ever be accepted no average of intelligence, will ity, a even or kind admira of excite tutes. fear, wonder, They may or never deserve the win will but highest place. tion, they is weak in the head, though the body is ro Our civilization all the practical vigor and diffused bust and full of life. With class is infe the American of people, our cultivated intelligence rior to that of the leading countries of Europe ; for not only does think he can do without the sovereign Demos it, but he is totally the sham education from the real one. The unable to distinguish " self favorite of his heart is that deplorable political failure, the con to he and whom to made man," whom he delights honor, faith full in and delicate interests, fides the most perplexed that, if he cannot unravel them, then nobody else can. He thinks that he must needs be a person of peculiar merit and unequaled vigor. He com His idea of what constitutes him is somewhat singular. at a education man half as self-made who picks up the mends use of he makes no what matter with exertion, hap-hazard ;but if, of training and instructing him methods and effective systematic he is self-made no longer. self, then, in the view of Demos, is at a prodigious The truth is, liberal education disadvantage of a process us. is nature it its In only the beginning among that should continue through life ; of a growth that will bear its Of what avail to nurse and fruit only in the fullness of time. enrich the young tree, if its after-years are to be spent in a soil
THE FAILURE
OF UNIVERSAL
SUFFRAGE.
17
to it ? We do not say and climate hostile or at least unfavorable to the position and its illustrate but simply this in despondency, of the times, few signs the morbid Amid necessities. leveling are so hopeful as the growing the higher of education ; strength it to to with has contend. what In the it is well but recognize are two counter-influences of democratic appar society platitudes : First, those sud one a curse, and the other a blessing ent?the break with sinister den upheavals of accumulated wealth which once formed which of that distribution broad property portent our safety ; and, secondly, this recent re?nforcement of trained no friend the other for culture is Each confronts ; intelligence. of gold and silver we of vulgar wealth, and most of the mountains have lately seen are in the keeping of those who are very ill fitted to turn them to the profit of civilization. use that inadequate word for want of a bet But culture?to as we difficulties. have said, to contend with formidable ter?has, to the ut The lower forms of ambition among us are stimulated The faculties most. The prizes held before them are enormous. and those that lead to political noto that lead to money-making, from political eminence, have every oppor riety as distinguished poor and obscure, may hope tunity and every incentive. Ability, to win untold wealth, rule over mines, railroads, and cities, and mount to all the glories of official station. As a consequence, we have an abundance of rich men and an abundance of clever poli ticians. We have no Again, we would not be misunderstood. wish to declaim against self-made men. There are those among them who deserve the highest respect and the warmest gratitude. on the highest pinnacle of civilization, If rarely themselves they are generally the sources, immediate or remote, from which our are best civilization Yet there to achievements which springs. cases. We have had but one they are equal only in exceptional Franklin ; and even that great man had failings from which dif ferent influences would have delivered him. Nor was Franklin a of product democracy full-fledged. success are spurred to While the faculties that win material the utmost, and urged to their strongest development, those that find their exercise in the higher fields of thought and action are far from being so. For the minds that mere wealth and mere are weak and the diffi cannot satisfy, the inducements notoriety
VOL. cxxvn.?no. 263. 2
18
THE NOBTH
AMEBICAN
BEVIEW.
culties great. The slow but ominous transfer of power from supe rior to inferior types of men, as shown in city councils, legislatures, and Congress, has told with effect on the growth of true withering as our politics are, Debased political ability. they do not invite, and hardly even admit, the higher and stronger faculties to a part in them. is robbed of its best continuance Liberal education and so as in it far is shut out from that noblest field consummation, of affairs of state ; that career of effort, the direction and combined action where all the forces of the mind thought are called forth, and of which the objects and results are to those of the average American the discoveries and in politician what ventions of applied science are to the legerdemain of a street The professions still remain open, and in these com juggler. the limited fields results are good. Literature offers paratively another field ; but here the temptation or is powerful to write to down vast the level of that of education which average speak the largest returns in profit and celebrity. makes The best liter ature we have has followed the natural law and sprung up in two or three places where educated had reached a point intelligence For the rest, our high enough to promise it a favorable hearing. writers to an audience so much address themselves accustomed to light food that they have no stomach for the strong. The pub It is pleasanter lic demand has its effect, too, on the pulpit. to tell the hearer what he likes to hear than to tell him what he is not confined to the laity. needs ; and the love of popularity is of no great From one point of view, the higher education a party use among us. to make a millionaire, It is not necessary or a or as our leaders such are, leader, popular preacher party that the country writer. So little is it needed for such purposes, " scorn. is full of so-called practical men," who cry out against it in use a and it is true of of from supreme view, Yet, necessity, point shall rests on those who direct it. What and a deep responsibility are all and be its aims ? Literature, science, physical scholarship, their is sub in of importance considered ; but, themselves, place the requirements of the ordinate, for they cannot alone meet It has been said that liberal culture tends to separate times. a class apart ; men from the nation at large, and form them into true a of to the merely this is certain without and, degree doubt, a aesthetic, literary, or scholastic culture. What we most need is on questions of society broad and masculine education, bearing of human
THE FAILURE
OF UNIVERSAL
SUFFRAGE.
19
from active life, but preparing and government ; not repelling of the university toward it. The discipline for it and impelling the past few years, should be a training for the arena ; and, within no little progress has been made in this direction. Some half a century ago, a few devoted men began what crusade against a tremendous national evil. seemed a desperate It died a death American slavery has now passed into history. of violence, to our shame be it said ; for the nation had not virtue, and harm temperance, and wisdom enough, to abolish it peacefully not We would is it the dead. but compare agitation lessly; more complex and less animating movement against it to the far can be met and checked. Con by which alone our present evils and enthusiasm, with very little besides, served the pur viction Their appeal was to sentiment pose of the abolition agitators. a kind and conscience, not to reason ; and their work demanded of men very different from those demanded by the work of polit The champion of the new reform will need ical regeneration. no whit less enthusiasm, but it must be tempered with judgment One idea will not serve him. He and armed with knowledge. to one end ; an integrity that can must have many, all tending nor neither be tempted ensnared, and a courage that nothing can
shake.
the then, is a career worthy of the best, and demanding Here, none the complicated for but they can grapple with mis best, Those gallant youths, and others such as chiefs of our politics. were so who ready to lay down life for their country, may they, If there here find a strife more difficult, and not less honorable. is virtue in them for an effort so arduous, then it is folly to de If a depraved political system sets them aside in favor of spair. meaner men, and denies them the career to which the best inter ests of the nation call them, then let them attack this depraved a career of their own. The low system, and, in so doing, make a not is and but he is noble foe, strong politician dangerous enough to make it manly to fight him ; and the cause of his adversary is the cause of the people, did they but know it ; or at least of that No doubt, the strife is part of the people that isworth the name. on one are side for ; strangely unequal ranged all the forces of and active ; and on the other self-interest, present always always reason of the if and But and the virtue only duty patriotism. as its or and nation can be as well organized folly knavery are
20
THE NOBTH
AMEBICAN
BEVIEW.
a new hope will rise upon us, and ganized to-day, they who can " such a result will not lack their reward. achieve The literary a feller" may yet make himself practical force, and, in presence of the public opinion which he has evoked, the scurvy crew who to disguise themselves delight to gibe at him may be compelled in garments of unwonted decency. It is in the cities that the diseases of the body politic are a head, and it is here that the need of to them gathered attacking is most urgent. the dangerous Here classes are most numerous and strong, and the effects of flinging the suffrage to the mob are the barbarism that we have armed and most disastrous. Here us. Our cities have be to stands overwhelm ready organized come a prey. Where the carcass is, the vultures gather together. The industrious are taxed to feed the idle, and offices are distrib in power. uted to perpetuate abuses and keep knaves Some of our city councils, where every ward sends its representatives, each a curious and instructive to its offer ; nature, spectacle according and character for here one sees men of mind striving for honest under vast and ever-increasing difficulties, mingled government with vicious boors in whose faces brute, knave, and fool, contend which shall write his mark most vilely. The theory of inalienable rights becomes an outrage to justice and common-sense, when it hands over great municipal corpora tions, the property of those who hold stock in them, to the keep crowds controlled by adventurers ing of greedy and irresponsible as reckless as themselves, whose is nothing but plunder. object But the question is not one of politics ; it is one of business, and are not in any true sense or otherwise, political rights, inalienable itself that those involved in it. The city which can so reorganize it shall have the chief con who supply the means of supporting an lead the way in abolishing trol over their expenditure, will an as as to and it is ridiculous odious, impulse give anomaly ex to its follow other cities its own prosperity which will impel civic That better class of citizens who have abandoned ample. return and acquire in municipal affairs in disgust, will gradually a in avail them afterward administration training which may a and The reform of cities would be wider fields. hopeful long step toward the reform of the States and the nation.
Francis Parkman.

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University of Northern Iowa

THEFAILURE OFUNIVERSAL S?FFRAGE.

THE FAILURE among

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