THE early formative years of our Republic are pregnant with interest for those who desire a clear conception not only of the American Government today, but also its evolution and growth. It was in the period from 1789 to 1837 that many untried problems were brought to solution and crucial interpretations made on the new Constitution. The subject is a large one and has long demanded a candid and thorough-going treatment for the use of scholars. "Fifty Years of Party Warfare" is indubitably a notable contribution to the field of American History in combining all the varied movements of the era into a single compact volume. Mr. Lynch has displayed sound scholarship in his power to analize and synthesize his material into a consecutive and highly readable presentation.

Certain sections of Mr. Lynch's book have recently been treated at greater length by Claude Bowers. "Hamilton and Jefferson" and "Party Battles of the Jackson Period" are both written in a colorful and dramatic fashion, enlightened by vivid portraitures of historical figures. Mr. Lynch, however, has no eye for pure dramatic effect. What he aimed at was primarily a lucid, accurate narration of events. Yet his subject is often so dramatic in itself that any efforts to make it more so might well have been abortive. Thorough documentation and adherence to fact need not deter one from finding it readable and entertaining.

In the first administration Washington wished to prevent the formation of political parties. Yet as his term of office drew to a close we see how divergent opinions on the important issues of the day gradually led to the formation of the Federalist and Republican camps, dominated by the two irreconcilables Hamilton and Jefferson. The bitter defeat of the Federalists inaugurated a long period of Republican supremacy coming to a tottering climax in the election of John Quincy Adams over Clay, Crawford, and Jackson. It is in the chapters on the struggles of the Jacksonian era that Mr. Lynch is most successful and brings out a series of interesting personalities and amusing anecdotes as readable as the pages of Claude Bowers.

On finishing William Lynch's book several extremely vital and speculative questions are apt to arise in the mind of the reader. In the party battles it often appears that a strong, popular opposition, such as the Whig-Jacksonians under President Adams are forced to wait a four year term before it can come into power, acting in the meanwhile as a hindrance to the passage of important legislation. The situation is in marked contrast to the system employed in Great Britain and is as much a problem in our Constitution as it ever was. Much material for speculation is likewise offered on the question of whether the party system is the most practical means of conducting a government or whether Washington's ideal would have been a better solution.

As a reference book "Fifty Years of Party Warfare" is decidedly worthwhile. The long bibliography attached renders it of added value to all students in American history. Yet the clarity of thought and expression which characterizes its pages, coupled with the fascination of its subject matter should not fail to draw the attention of the general reader.