SKETCH OF WILLIAM GRAHAM SUMNER. 267 



the conception of society according to which it is the seat of 

 forces, and its phenomena are subject to laws, which it is the busi- 

 ness of science to investigate. He denies that there is anything 

 arbitrary or accidental in social phenomena, or that there is any 

 field in them for the arbitrary intervention of man. He therefore 

 allows but very limited field for legislation. He holds that men 

 must do with social laws what they do with physical laws — learn 

 them, obey them, and conform to them. Hence he is opposed to 

 state interference and socialism, and he advocates individualism 

 and liberty. He has declared that bimetallism is an absurdity, 

 involving a contradiction of economic laws, and his attacks on 

 protectionism have been directed against it as a philosophy of 

 wealth and prosperity for the nation. 



As to politics, he says : 



"My only excursion into active politics has been a term as 

 alderman. In 1872 I was one of the voters who watched with in- 

 terest and hope the movement which led up to the ' Liberal ' Con- 

 vention at Cincinnati, that ended by nominating Greeley and 

 Brown. The platform of that convention was very outspoken in 

 its declarations about the policy to be pursued toward the South. 

 I did not approve of the reconstruction policy. I wanted the 

 South let alone and treated with patience. I lost my vote by 

 moving to New Haven, and was contented to let it go that way. 

 In 1876 I was of the same opinion about the South. If I had been 

 asked what I wanted done, I should have tried to describe just 

 what Mr. Hayes did do after he got in. I therefore voted for Mr. 

 Tilden. In 1880 I did not vote. In 1884 I voted as a Mugwump 

 for Mr. Cleveland. In 1888 I voted for him on the tariff issue." 



A distingushed American economist, who is well acquainted 

 with Prof. Sumner's work, has kindly given us the following esti- 

 mate of his method and of his position and influence as a public 

 teacher : " For exact and comprehensive knowledge Prof. Sumner 

 is entitled to take the first place in the ranks of American econo- 

 mists ; and as a teacher he has no superior. His leading mental 

 characteristic he has himself well stated in describing the charac- 

 teristics of his former teachers at Gottingen ; namely, as ' bent on 

 seeking a clear and comprehensive conception of the matter " or 

 truth " under study, without regard to any consequences what- 

 ever,' and further, when in his own mind Prof. Sumner is fully 

 satisfied as to what the truth is he has no hesitation in boldly 

 declaring it, on every fitting occasion, without regard to conse- 

 quences. If the theory is a ' spade,' he calls it a spade, and not an 

 implement of husbandry. Sentimentalists, followers of precedent 

 because it is precedent, and superficial reasoners find little favor, 

 therefore, with Prof. Sumner; and this trait of character has 

 given him a reputation for coldness and lack of what may be 



