22 OCTOBER 1904, Page 23

The Republican Party, 1854 - 1904. By Francis Curtis. 2 vols. (G.

P. Putnam's Sons. 20s. net.)—This may be described as a " jubilee" publication. The beginning of the Republican party as formally constituted is assigned to the year 1854, though, of course, the history of its origin goes much further back. On July 6th a Convention held at Jackson, Michigan, passed two resolutions which had for their object the keeping of slavery out of Kansas and Nebraska. What were the events that led up to this declaration, beginning, as they did, with the first establish- ment of the Republic, and what the history of the party since that date has been, Mr. Francis Curtis tells in these volumes. That as Englishmen we are deeply interested in these matters is sufficiently obvious; but we must be content with commending the book to our readers.