AUCKLAND ATHENÆUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 497, 16 June 1865, Page 4

AUCKLAND ATHENÆUM.

Ax excellent ar.d highly interesting paper upon political parties in the United States of America was rend last night by Mr. Robert Eidd, President ef the Athenaeum Society, at the AtheDffiiim Teems, JTardinatori's buildings. There was a large attendance oi' members ; and the wellmerited thanks of the society were heartily accorded to Mr. Kidd for his truly valuable address. The lecturer took occasion, in his introductory address, to mention that the contents of the paper which he was about to read and comment upon, were for the most entirely distinct from those of an address recently delivered by him in the Onclmngn Institute. After a concise and clear sketch of the early American Union, Mr. Kidd proceeded to briefly review its subsequent history, and also point out the distinctive points of the American political system, singularly illustrative as it is of our own colonial relations. A most lucid account was given of the origin and meaning of the various political party names, which have always puzzled everybody not an .American. Mr. Kidd continued the narrative of the ups r.cd downs of American pai-ty politics and the alternations of Federalist, Democrat and Governments, till the election of Abraham Lincoln, with which eventful period he deemed it best to close the present lecture, reserving for a subsequent occasion the consideration of the sectional strifes on the question.: connected with negro slavery. A pressing request was made to Mr. Eidd by the mcctiijg that the lecture should be printed, so that thereby the address just delivered and described by several as unsurpassed or hitherto unequalled in this city, as to matter and manner combined, should receive a more permanent form. It was finally arranged that the publication should be deferred until after tl. , completion of the subject in a subsequent lecture.