One of the great books of the year is "Woman and the Republic," written by Mrs. Helen Kendrick Johnson. The book displays an astonishing amount of research and consequent knowledge of the subject in hand, for from the inauguration of the woman-suffrage movement to the present time no important point in the history of the topic is left untouched, but each development and new phase arising from time to time is in turn considered and its bearing on the movement explained. The book is remarkable for its conspicuous lack of any display of personal feeling. From beginning to end there is no show of dislike for the advocates of woman suffrage, and if Mrs. Johnson has what the ladies call a spite against any of the suffragists, it does not appear in her writing. The book might have been written by a lawyer, so cold and dispassionate is it when considering the arguments of the advocates of woman suffrage. With the deliberation of conscious strength, the authoress takes up one statement after another advanced in behalf of female suffrage, dissects it, shows the mistake or fallacy involved, and goes on as calmly and with as little show of feeling as would be manifested by an attorney explaining the points of a contested invention before the Supreme Court. "Woman and the Republic" will be long noteworthy as a most complete and overwhelming refutation of the arguments of the suffragists.- St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

If the woman-suffrage movement is ever to be finally defeated, it will be by women themselves, and by arguments and considerations like those so ably stated in this remarkable book. It is an intelligent, earnest, honest, and philosophic study of the subject, and is quite as interesting as it is valuable and important.- Brooklyn Standard-Union.

A strong, sincere, able, and dispassionate argument against woman suffrage. Mrs. Johnson points out what so many overlook, the dividing line between woman's progress and woman suffrage, and marshals the facts that, from her point of view, go to prove that suffrage agitation has had little part in the progress of woman. Mrs. Johnson is particularly vigorous in arguing that the suffrage movement strikes a blow at the home and the marriage relation, and that the ballot is demanded by its advocates for the purpose of making women independent of the present social order-arguments she sustains by liberal quotations from the utterances of suffragists.- Detroit Free Press.

The movement for woman suffrage has been met by silent contempt in some quarters, and by more direct if not more effectual opposition in others. It is well known that the great majority of intelligent women were not in favor of the plan; which has, nevertheless, contrived to get itself mooted. If a knock-down argument can terminate discussion, Helen Kendrick Johnson's "Woman and the Republic" will dispose of it "for keeps." Mrs. Johnson first shows the hollowness of the arguments advanced by the suffragists, and then puts each theme squarely in the position dictated by common sense and sound reason. Democratic government, the author says, is at an end when those who issue decrees are not identical with those who can enforce them. What is the real reason why laws compel obedience? Because behind the law stands the majority of the men, who alone are capable of enforcing the law. A government can have no stability if it issues decrees that it cannot enforce. The only way to avoid such decrees is to make sure that behind every law and every policy adopted stands a power so great that no power in the land can overthrow it. The only such power possible consists of a majority of the men. Therefore, the only safe thing for the government to do is to carry out the ascertained will of a majority of the men." The quiet amusement with which Mrs. Johnson expounds the arguments of the other side gives readableness to a volume mainly devoted to argument.- Boston Herald.

There is an idea, very widespread and quite plausible, that woman's progress and woman suffrage are one and the same thing, or at least near and dear to each other. With astonishing audacity, excellent spirit, and considerable effect, Helen Kendrick Johnson essays the task of showing that progress and the ballot for women are not related in any degree whatsoever. Her book, "Woman and the Republic," is an answer in logical and breezy terms to the whole creed of the suffragist. She has very formidable contradictions for the assertions that woman suffrage is democratic, that the abolition of slavery was aided by the efforts of the suffragists, that philanthropy and woman suffrage have gone together, and that women need votes in earning their living. Mrs. Johnson bases her argument upon good will between men and women, and therefore the book makes quite pleasant reading for the ordinary male.- Syracuse Post.

Mrs. Johnson is everything that an honorable antagonist could be. She does not present her side of the controversy alone, but freely quotes from the arguments of suffrage's eminent leaders, and then proceeds to combat them in language which leaves no doubt as to her meaning.- Rochester Herald.

Her resistance to the claims and ideas of the suffragists is based upon a thorough study of the whole subject, and her book is the first complete exposition from the anti-suffragists side that has been published. Powerful tracts have come from the pens of Goldwin Smith, Francis Parkman, and others, but it has remained for the present writer to sum up the arguments. Mrs. Johnson considers the whole question broadly, from every point of view, historically, legally, morally, and socially. She believes thoroughly in opening many lines of trade and employment to woman, and is in sympathy with all that really makes for her progress in any way; but she shows pointedly that the suffrage movement has done little, indeed nothing, of positive assistance along these lines.- Hartford Post.

It is a careful and thoughtful rsum of the entire question, and is a model of simplicity and perspicuity. It shows at the very outset that the suffrage movement is, after nearly fifty years of trial, unable to substantiate its claims to the real advancement of woman's interests, or to command the support of more than a mere fragment of the women of our land. Its logic is simply unanswerable, and its facts beyond all possibility of dispute. Its author has rendered our nation a service whose value it would be difficult to compute.- Ansonia Sentinel.

A dissertation full of social, political, and moral scholarship, flanked on all sides by genuine common sense and the logic of evidence. It is a really valuable document.- Washington Times.

At last a woman has written a book that will be adjudged a valuable addition to woman literature, chiefly from the fact that it has been written obviously by one who has risen above all petty quarrel and controversy to an apprehension of the real need of the republic, so far as woman is concerned, and who has weighed well the suffrage question and found it wanting. The bigotry of a mistaken woman-zeal receives a serious warning in the publication of this work. The woman-suffrage movement in the United States is treated freely and fairly, and with the soundest common sense, as by an impartial student of both sides of a much-mooted question, or rather by one who has discovered that the life-springs of the true advancement of woman flow from out the hills of a pure womanly growth of character. It is altogether a marvelously clear and understandable text-book for such helpful and instructive uses an any reader desiring an unbiased training upon this particular subject may seek for. Evidently a strong, serious brain has conceived its every chapter.- Boston Courier.

Possibly there has been written a clearer, more impartial, more masterly work than this, but, if so, it has never been our good fortune to meet with it. The present author possesses a wonderfully unfeminine capability for indulging in calm, logical discussion; nowhere in all the book is a statement made that will not bear close examination for truth. The author is fair and impartial beyond the wont of her sex upon all subjects.- Denver Times.

It is a radical argument, put strongly and fairly supported by historical precedent and analogy.- Salt Lake City Tribune

A book of unusual interest to thinking men and women at this time. It is a careful study of the subject, from the historical point of view and philosophically. The work is an impartial one, and the author well maintains her opinion that "woman is to implant the faith, man is to cause the nation's faith to show itself in works"-two duties which can not become interchangeable while sex continues to divide the race into two halves of what should become a perfect whole.- San Francisco Argonaut.

The book is scholarly in method, comprehensive in range, candid in sentiment, and an exceedingly effective argument against woman suffrage. The professional suffragist will be apt to use strong language in condemning it, but it is such a sensible and practical discussion of its theme that it can not fall to have a wide and useful influence.- Boston Congregationalist.

It is somewhat remarkable that the most vigorous arraignment of and attack upon the woman-suffrage movement should come from a woman. Most men are opposed to it, and most women take little interest in it. Helen Kendrick Johnson sees nothing but mischief and evil in it. The argumentative part of the book is marked by decided ability, and the woman-suffragists will have all they can do to answer it.- Indianapolis Journal.

A book that deserves a very careful and thoughtful reading, especially by the women of this country, because it is carefully and thoughtfully written, and with a power of argument that has rarely been surpassed. The author treats the distinguished advocates of female suffrage with the utmost fairness, and argues with a force that seems almost irresistible that "the suffrage movement has had but little part or lot in assisting in our national progress." It will have an immense influence for good.- Boston Home Journal.

The pros and cons of the woman-suffrage movement in the United States are presented in a fair and most painstaking manner. One gets a very good idea of the spirit of the early advocates of equal suffrage.- Colorado Springs Gazette.

In this volume we have a very able, a very candid, and a very exhaustive discussion of the woman-suffrage question in all its length and breadth.- Troy Budget

This book will hold the reader's attention from beginning to end. Whatever may be thought of the views expressed, no one can deny the writer's ability or the sustained interest of the work. It is a fine example of painstaking analysis and searching criticism. Through it all runs a vein of such intense earnestness that one is forced to the conclusion that the author thoroughly believes in the principles which she advocates, and, so believing, has written from a conviction of duty.- New York Commercial Advertiser.

Those who advocate woman suffrage raise their voices so continuously and loudly that one is apt to forget that there is another side of the matter-that there is a large body of women who do not appeal for the ballot, and who are not convinced that there is any need, either for themselves or for the public, that they should vote. It is refreshing at last to find one of this sisterhood who speaks out; who makes it plain that the suffragists have not the field to themselves.- Buffalo Express

For logic, calmness, and temperateness of tone, for a broad perspective based upon the facts of history, this work is an intelligent and welcome addition to literature upon the subject, and comes as the mouthpiece of the definite reaction that is taking place among the more enlightened of our American women.- Buffalo Enquirer.

The most temperate, concise, and well-conducted argument against woman suffrage which has yet appeared in book form.- St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

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