OF AMERICAN POLITICS (NON-PARTISAN), EMBRACING A HISTORY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND UNITED STATES FROM 1607 TO 1882. BY WALTER R. HOUGHTON, A. M., INDIANA UNIVERSITY, AUTHOR OF "CONSPECTUS OF THE HISTORY OF POLITICAL PARTIES," "WALL-CHART ILLUSTRATED BY COLORED ENGRAVINGS. INDIANAPOLIS : F. T. NEELY & CO. A PC BY T PREFACE. THE political history of the United States has received less attention than any other important portion of the history of our country, notwithstanding the fact that there is no other subject which meets with such general consideration as politics. The object of this work is to present a complete HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLITICS, giving the subject ample consideration, yet avoiding those details that consume the time of the reader without adding materially to his historical information. The plan of the work is designed to simplify the story of our political history, thus making clear and intelligent what is otherwise, to a large proportion of our citizens, a great mass of documents too extensive for perusal. Chapter I. treats of local colonial politics, and closes with a plate that represents mechanically the nature of colonial governments in their individual capacity. Chapter II. sets forth the difference between the colonists and the parent country on national colonial politics, and presents those issues that ultimately drove the Americans into the war of independence. This chapter is followed by a plate that exhibits to the eye the leading features of the British government, and represents how, according to the English colonial system, the colonies were under the supreme power of Parliament. Chapter III. presents revolutionary politics, and is accompanied by a plate which shows the sovereign and independent condition of the thirteen colonies, and their lack of coöperation with the Continental Congress by any binding law. Chapter IV. gives the political history of our country from revolutionary times till the beginning of the administration of our first President, and is rendered more valuable by a plate which represents the government of the United States under the articles of confederation. Chapter V. is devoted to the political history of Washington's administration, and is classified so as to present, in the order of their occurrence, the history of the sessions of Congress. Political events that took place outside of Congress are considered between congressional events, in their proper chronological order. Following the historical portion of the chapter is a plate showing, by several hundred wheels and rings, the nature and workings of the federal government, and its harmonious coöperation with the governments of the states. The succeeding portions of the work treat the political history of the United States by administrations, following the manner of Chapter V. At the close of each chapter are references, naming the publications from which the history of American politics must be gleaned. To these are added lists of the names of federal officers; the platforms of the political parties; and other important documents of historical interest. At the close of the volume is a diagram, showing, at a glance, the history of all the political parties in our country from 1607 till 1883. The plate is of valuable aid in obtaining a rapid and comprehensive idea of the political history of the United States. In preparing this volume, information has been obtained from numerous publications, and from individuals who have made American politics a subject of careful study. Among those who have readily responded to any inquiries, and have willingly rendered whatever assistance requested, may be mentioned Judge Scott, of the Supreme Bench of Indiana; Hon. Berry Sulgrove, ex-editor of the Indianapolis Journal; and ex-Senator W. B. F. Treat. The work is now before the public, and the reader can judge as to the value of the information furnished. Indiana University, Bloomington. WALTER R. HOUGHTON. |