Jefferson & Hamilton: Bowers Classic
One of the classic works on the topic, JEFFERSON AND HAMILTON, THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA was written by Claude G. Bowers and published in 1926 by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, in this 7th impression.

In his preface, the author notes that the purpose of the book was not to make out a case for or against democracy, but to show how it came to the Republic, sometimes blundering and making a fool of itself on the way; to recreate, if possible, an heroic, picturesque, and lusty age; to make the men of the steel engravings flesh and blood; to stage the drama of a day when real giants trod the boards. And everything we’ve read shows that his efforts were successful!

Black/white plates (many full-page) include many players from the time -- Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Mrs. William Bingham, Fisher Ames, Robert Goodloe Harper, George Cabot, Gouverneur Morris, Albert Gallatin, Edward Livingston, William Branch Giles, and James Madison, as well as some contemporary political cartoons and facsimiles of important letters.

Condition of the 529-page hardbound book is Very Good, with very minor edge/corner/spine end wear to the covers. A previous owner’s book stamp is on inside front. A few inside pages have minor dog-ears, however, show no other apparent defects. A great look at an important part of our nation’s history. (5367)
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co.
ISBN: None  

Government, Elements of Civics

Written by Indiana political scientist John A. Lapp, OUR AMERICA -- THE ELEMENTS OF CIVICS was designed to set forth the elementary facts about government in the U.S.

It begins by a statement of the way people live in modern society; discusses the needs and wants of people for food, clothing, shelter, property, education, enjoyment and liberty; shows the necessity for common protection against harm; how out of these needs and wants comes the necessity for government.

And, says the author, Having established the basis of government, the book takes up concrete problems and shows how common needs for roads and streets, education, health protection, conservation and business control are met by the governments of nation, state and locality.

The part which each government plays in the matter is made clear. The citizen is able then to go to the proper place to get things done or to lay the blame when things are not done right.

The 399-page hardbound book was publsihed in 1916 by Bobbs-Merrill, Indianapolis. It is illustrated with some wonderful early 1900s black/white photos and is fully indexed.

Condition is Good+, although it is ex lib with the usual library markings. The covers show minor wear on edges/corners and spine ends. All pages remain tightly intact and without any apparent defects. (3427)
Publisher: Bobbs-Merrill Co.
ISBN: None  

True & False Democracy, Butler

In the Introduction to his TRUE AND FALSE DEMOCRACY, first published in 1907 and reprinted in this 1940 edition by Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, Columbia University President Nicholas Murray Butler wrote:

There has been no need to change a single introduction word in any of the three addresses again printed in this volume. Plainly the problems which today hold the entire world in their grasp were then already above the horizon for those who had eyes to see. Democracy is the government of all by all for the benefit of all.

Butler’s discussion centers on:

TRUE AND FALSE DEMOCRACY -- Problems of today chiefly economic and social. What is democracy? Equality versus liberty. Has liberty lost its charm? The socialist propaganda. Need of a real aristocracy. True versus false democracy. The real representative. Is democracy a failure? Political and economic exploitation. A definition of public property needed. The mob versus the people. The problem of wealth. Effective expression of public opinion. Our three political agencies. Legislative usurpation. The Executive as representative of the people. Confusion of government and administration. Evils of false democracy. Ideals of true democracy.

EDUCATION OF PUBLIC OPINION -- Place of public opinion in a democracy. Public opinion a new creation. Passing of class distinctions. Complex relationships of the individual. The bad citizen. The individual and the mass. Part played by unconscious imitation. Uneven progress of public opinion. The life in a democracy. Relation of the individual to public opinion. The party system. Action independent of party. The leader and the boss. Value of party organization. Business in politics. Individual responsibility for public policy.

DEMOCRACY AND EDUCATION. . . Quo vadis? The new era. Spread democracy . Equality and liberty. Education and politics. The individual and the, state. Education in a democracy. The good Citizen. Bad effect of the spoils system. Imperfections of democracy. Triumphant democracy.

The discussions are pointed and well thought-out.

The 111-page hardbound book is in Very Good condition, although it is ex lib with the usual library markings. There is very minor edge/corner/spine end wear on the covers, with only slight tanning of the inside pages. (3385)
Publisher: Charles Scribner’s Sons
ISBN: None  

1926, Democratic Way of Life

When Thomas Vernon Smith wrote this book, published in 1926 by the University of Chicago Press, the nation was very much aware of the importance of democracy. THE DEMOCRATIC WAY OF LIFE, a small, 211-page hardbound book, allowed him to extol its virtues once again, while also reminding citizens of their responsibilities.

In his Preface, Smith wrote:

DEMOCRACY is a doctrine of both means and ends. While technicians work at the former, the latter must not be lost to view. For without the emotional urge that comes from contemplation of our goals, we shall degrade humanity's greatest enthusiasm into a barren formalism.

This solicitude is not pointless at our present juncture in America. Science itself sometimes learns so well how to do as to forget what it is that is to be done. The following popular exposition of democratic ideals is meant to season daily duties with the joy of social vision.

Smith placed those discussions in chapters entitled:
TOWARD THE DEMOCRATIC WAY OF LIFE
DEMOCRACY AS FRATERNITY
DEMOCRACY AS LIBERTY
DEMOCRACY AND THE DAY'S WORK
DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP

Condition is Good+, although it is ex lib with the usual library markings. The covers show wear on edges, corners and spine ends, with a few scuffs. The hinges are loose, but it appears all inside pages are still tightly bound. All are also clean and easily readable.

Here’s another title that’s becoming quite difficult to find on today’s market. Don’t miss it! (3384)
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: None  

1916 Socialist’s Views of America
AMERICA AND THE NEW EPOCH was written by Charles P. Steinmetz, who identifies himself in the book’s introduction as a socialist who took an active part in the 10 years’ political war of the German social democracy against Bismarck, escaped to Switzerland and after continuing his studies there, came to America, where he still was a dues-paying member of the Socialist party organization. He succeeded professionally in engineering and 'the only criticism which I can make is that I would far more enjoy my advantages if I knew that everybody else could enjoy the same.'

Here he discusses what he calls 'conclusions drawn from the historical facts' concerning eras in the world’s history, the French Revolution, the individualistic era, America in the past and in the individualistic era, public and private corporations, democracy and monarchy, evolution of industrial government and inhibitory power, the American nation and the future corporation. It’s fascinating reading!

Published in 1916 (apparently a 1st Ed.) by Harper & Brothers, New York. Hardbound. 229 pages. Ex lib with usual library markings. Good+ condition with very minor corner and spine end wear to covers. Front hinge is broken; inside pages show some yellowing, and title page is chipped at top corner. Still, well worth reading and very difficult to find! (2055)
Publisher: Harper & Brothers
ISBN: None  

The Patriotic Thing
Written by William O. Stevens and published by Dodd, Mead, New York, in 1940 -– just prior to the U.S. entry into World War II -- THE PATRIOTIC THING offers a wide vision of just what it means to be an American.

The 174-page hardbound book covers numerous topics related to democracy – American citizenship, other democratic countries, dictator nations, what is liberty? Dictatorship in a democracy, what is democracy? What America has achieved, what America still has to do, a friendly government, what an American owes his country, youth and citizenship. With each chapter are ideas for discussion of that topic.

The book is in Good+ condition, although it is ex lib with the usual library markings. Covers show some edge/corner/spine end wear. Inside pages show slight yellowing, but no other apparent defects. What a great reminder of a citizen’s responsibilities – even in today’s world! (4200)
Publisher: Dodd, Mead
ISBN: none