The debates in the American Congress have little teaching efficacy; it is the characteristic vice of Presidential government to deprive them of that efficacy; in that government a debate in the legislature has little effect, for it cannot turn out the executive, and the executive can veto all it decides.
Bagehot critiques the American Congress for its lack of effective teaching due to the nature of Presidential government.
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They have given what I may call a CONFIDENCE IN THE UNIVERSE.
The power of free interchange of ideas being wanting, the ideas themselves were barren.
But the Jewish advantage never did so; beginning in religion, contrary to a thousand analogies, it remained religious.
And again, in political matters, how quickly a leading statesman can change the tone of the community!
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