Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis.
New York: Baker & Taylor Co., [1891]. Hardcover. Introduction by Austin Phelps. Small 8vo. Burgundy cloth with gilt spine lettering. x, 275pp, (11pp ads). Near fine. Tight and bright text block, the only mar to handsome binding being a few small spots to front board and hand-lettered paper shelf label near foot of spine. Item #51030
Handsome "Revised Edition, Based on the Census of 1890," of this text first published in 1885. This tract by the imperious, rather racist Protestant clergyman, author and editor (1847-1916) who thought his "Social Gospel" program could cure all manner of societal ills via the church proved quite popular and went through many printings, as did the revised edition. From the collection of William B. Allison (1829-1908), the powerful Iowa Republican who, as U.S. senator from that state (1873-1908), was one of the "big four" who controlled the Senate; as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee for most of those years, he championed tariff legislation and co-authored the Bland-Allison Act of 1878; as member of the Senate Finance Committee he was often courted by U.S. presidents to hold cabinet positions. Early 20th century bookplate on front pastedown records "This book is part of Allison Memorial Collection Gift of Mrs. Jennie A. Brayton" and until deaccessioned was part of Allison's non-circulating collection at his hometown public library across the street from his Dubuque residence. Notes Leland L. Sage in his 1956 biography "William Boyd Allison: A Study in Practical Politics," Allison owned "hundreds of books on government, economics, history, banking, finance, and the tariff.... An omnivorous reader, Allison doubtless read most of these volumes, if only for relaxation from the strain that accompanied his efforts to solve the many problems facing the Nation...."
Price: $150.00