ge in the map of Europe, it seems rather that the result of
the war, even if it be unfavorable to Turkey, will be little more than
the liberation and autonomy of one or two of the provinces.

--The personal nature of our politics was never more apparent than it
is at present. On all sides, and in regard to all questions, we meet
with evidence of it. Whether it be in regard to great questions of
national importance, the formation of parties, or some little State or
county matter, the point generally first raised is how Mr. ---- or Mr.
---- will be likely to feel about it. The subject is not discussed upon
broad grounds of right, of law, or of policy, but with regard to the
effect that it will have upon such or such an "interest," which is
represented by Mr. ----, the said interest being sometimes that of a
railway, or a "ring," but generally that of a knot of professional
politicians. This seems strange in a country where the government is
"of the people, by the people, and for the people." Our democracy has
subjected us to the condition of the old Roman clients. We do not have
leaders in politics, but users; men who use us for their own advantage.

--China and Japan are turning the tables upon us bravely. We have been
sending missionaries to them for two hundred years and more, and now a
young disciple of Buddha comes among us to criticise our religion and
to tell us that the moral principles and the conduct of Christians are
of a lower standard than those taught by Confucius; and a Japanese
publicist criticises our politics in our leading review, and tells us
that we are the slowest people on the face of the earth, and are tied
hand and foot by our paper constitutions. There will probably not be
many converts to Buddhism; and as probably the Constitution of the
United States will not be set aside as a worthless piece of paper in
this generation. None the less, however, are these return-missionary
efforts of our extremely Oriental friends very significant signs of the
times. They show two things: first, the little real effect which, after
all, the West has produced upon the East; and last, the freedom of
thought and discussion which is now pervading the world. It is safe to
say that our Chinese and Japanese critics will be listened to with
respect; and that not in a mere spirit of tolerance and politeness. The
world has changed its position greatly in such respects within the last
thirty or fifty years. The petition