Amongst the most important matters to which we would draw our readers' attention are the following:-The working in America of the system of universal suffrage, equal electoral districts, annual elections, the ballot, and payment of members; the American judiciary system as compared with that of England, the election of judges and all the principal office-holders directly by the people. At first, the executive power in most of the States was very considerable, but in the course of time the patronage of the State has been in several instances taken from the governor and given to the legislature, and then taken from the latter and exercised directly by the people.

It will be seen, on examining the character of American legislation and government, that the great object always kept in view is to divide property, and elevate the whole mass of the people. It is of great importance for the English politician to see how this object is effected, to mark the difference between American and British legislation, and par ticularly to observe the American laws regulating the descent and transfer of land, which have prevented alike the formation of a class of mere agricultural labourers and a landed aristocracy.

The system of law-making in America, and the mode of administering justice, will be found deserving of attention, especially as the principal points of difference between the English and American systems are mentioned and commented upon, and the law reforms proposed in England are tested by American example and experience.

The various systems of taxation resorted to in America and England are briefly compared, and their respective merits considered; and we have ventured a few remarks in favour of the system which, in our opinion, should be generally adopted, to the exclusion of all the rest. This subject will soon be of paramount importance to the social reformer in both hemispheres, as will be perceived on a perusal of the chapters on the mission of democracy. A new system of society may be partly introduced by means of a liberal exercise of the power to tax realised property.

We beg to call especial attention to the chapters on the social influence of democracy in America, and the social influence of the aristocratic system in England. It will be seen that democracy ensures the general intelligence of the people, the diffusion of wealth, and the triumph of talent and merit; whilst the aristocratic system secures a monopoly of the land in the hands of a few, and impoverishes and degrades the vast majority of the people. We have traced the causes of the division of the

land in America, replied to the arguments of Mr. M'Culloch and others on the social consequences of the division in France, and shown that the prosperity of the American people is clearly occasioned by the institutions under which they have the good fortune to live, and not to the abundance of land, as pretended by those who assert that England and Ireland are over-peopled, and not badly governed.

Our remarks upon the subject of emigration, and the condition of the people of England as compared with that of the Americans, will probably excite some surprise on the part of those who have formed their opinions from the works of European tourists; but it must be constantly borne in mind that old countries possess many advantages over newlysettled ones, and that climate exercises a most important influence upon the character and condition of a people.

We have devoted a few remarks to an explanation of American politics and parties, especially with respect to the questions of slavery and the currency. The laws of England restraining the liberty of the press, prohibiting political associations, and complaints, of grievances, are examined somewhat in detail, with a reference to various authorities, for the purpose of dispelling the popular delusion that the law favors liberty, that delusion being productive of a fatal confidence in the existing system of government.

The testimony of European writers on America, collected in Chapters 22 and 23, will no doubt be read with interest, and will be found to corroborate our own statements, and support the opinions which we have advanced.

The concluding chapters on the mission of democracy are written for the purpose of showing that democracy in America, instead of resulting, as some politicians anticipate, in a return to the monarchical, or oligarchical, system of society, will gradually introduce a new social system, based on the principle of co-operation, under which men will be able to obey the injunctions of the Christian religion, and live according to the golden rule.

We have undertaken to exhibit the most important of the evils which now actually oppress, and must continue, under any, even the best existing form of government, to harass the human race. Out of this examination of human ills, and after a scrutiny of all conceivable modes of relief, emerges the theory of the true remedy in a new social system. We have presented the subject plainly and fully, and we ask our readers to

consider it with care and attention. It is an ultimate and not an immediate reconstruction of society which we contemplate. The gradual decomposition of antiquated forms is to precede that higher organisation which will be in unison with the human character and with the order of nature. Still it is a revolution of society, and it is an organic revolution, to be realised through the glorious agency which will be 'furnished by universal suffrage and representative governments. Opposition may of course be expected. All reforms have met with a storm of furious opposition. Even in America, universal suffrage became a fact only after long and painful struggles. And now universal suffrage prevails over one-half of enlightened Europe, and even Turkish provinces are penetrated by its light.

Mankind are just awakening in the old world from the sleep of ages; they began to live but yesterday. The generations which have passed away give place to the present, as darkness withdraws from the sun. It is high time to fearlessly attack and expose the fallacies, misconceptions, and ignorance of the apologists of the present social system. The institution of society has been entirely perverted. Competition has isolated individuals, till their hearts have become inhuman, and they have thus been prepared for the lives and deaths of ferocious beasts. At the command of masters they have preyed upon one another, and they have deprived themselves, as well as their fancied enemies, of enjoyment, instead of living together in the possession of all that can make life a pleasure. For mutual assistance, has been grossly and violently substituted injuries without number, and resentment and hostility without restraint.

A host of pseudo-political philosophers assume to teach us that this sad state of society proceeds from the fallen and vicious nature of man. It is asserted that he will be equally wicked under every change of his condition, and that he would choose to be unhappy in the midst of the means of happiness. Yet these same teachers are prone to admit that circumstances have something to do with human character; that the being born, for instance, at Paris, or, on the contrary, at Constantinople, will be very apt to fix the religious creed of the individual. If so, why may it not be true that fundamental reforms of the whole human character can be accomplished by thorough and enlightened management?

We beg our readers to note the result of the great experiments on human nature presented by America to the wondering eyes of Europe.

It is an unalterable demonstration that mankind are not only capable of self-government, but that they can, under rational political institutions, congregate in social communities, live together in peace and good-will, labour together for the common good, surround themselves with all the comforts of life, and banish crime, intemperance, and immorality of every description. Let these mighty facts be made known; let the glad tidings be spread all over the earth; and preparations be everywhere made for entering upon the long-promised land of freedom and happiness!

Let us discard the prejudices engendered by the crude and undigested theories of European socialists, and proceed in a fair and candid spirit to the discussion of this the greatest topic which can employ the faculties and engage the heart of man.

AMERICA

COMPARED WITH ENGLAND.

CHAPTER I.

THE CONSTITUTIONS AND GOVERNMENTS OF THE SEVERAL

STATES.

I. Continually increasing number of the States-Each State is a distinct Republic-For what purposes they are united-The respective powers of the several Republics and of the Confederation-The Federal Constitution, its general character-Compared with the new German Confederation.

II. How the constitution of a State is formed-Government of a territory before it becomes a State-The constitutions and governments of the several colonies before the Revolution.

III. Differences between the present Constitutions, Governments, and laws of the various States-Progress of Democracy-The Constitution of the State of Ohio described by way of example.

IV. The object of a written Constitution-How a Constitution may be amended -How the Legislative body is chosen in Ohio.

V. Remarks on annual elections and vote by ballot.

VI. The Executive.

VII. The judiciary system compared with that of England-The administration

of justice.

VIII. The Militia-Local self-government.

IX. The fundamental rights reserved and guaranteed by the Constitution of Ohio-Remarks on the violation of these rights.

I.

THERE are now (in the year 1848) thirty States or Republics in the Union, and the number is constantly increasing, in consequence of the formation of new States in the Western and Southern territories, from time to time. Each State is a distinct Republic, with its own separate legislature, and other branches of government. But all the States are united together, chiefly for the following purposes, viz.

That they may all be represented in foreign courts as one nation. That there may be an army and navy sustained at the expense of, and for the benefit of all, the States.

B