MERK, FREDERICK. _Economic History of Wisconsin During the Civil
War Decade._ Publications of the State Historical Society of
Wisconsin _Studies, Vol. I._ Published by the Society, Madison,
1916. Pp. 414.
The Wisconsin Historical Society has inaugurated its series of
_Studies_ by the most elaborate work of constructive history it has
published, which is also the most comprehensive treatment of the
economic history of any state during the constitutional period, taking
rank with Bruce’s _Virginia_ and Weeden’s _New England_. The author
has produced a book which is of interest not only to the state with
which it deals, but to every student of American history.
The American state, at least today and in the West, is an artificial
unit, whose political separateness barely justifies that exclusive
devotion of the historical student which the vastness of the United
States seems to render necessary if the roots of our life are to be
discovered. To recognize the influence of national conditions, without
making the treatment national, to individualize the community without
making it appear a detached entity, requires a variety of skill which
can not be produced by scientific study alone, but demands also real
literary ability. This skill Merk clearly possesses, and he has
created an impression of an economic life, distinctly confined to the
area of the state, yet part of that of the Union, and in touch with
that outside the national limits. He is fully conscious of the
importance of Wisconsin wheat in our relations with Great Britain, and
of the interstate functions of a medium of exchange, but he is not
betrayed into a discussion of diplomacy or of national banking.
A similar difficulty is always presented when one attempts a
cross-section of any history, for periods are even more artificial
than state lines. Economically the “Decade” of the Civil War does not
have those distinguishing features which are generally used to mark
off, for convenience of study, one set of years from another.
Doubtless the consideration which determined the selection was again
artificial, the United States system of decennial censuses. Mr. Merk,
however, allows himself more latitude in this case, and his work
actually covers the real economic period, 1857 to 1873.
The chronological difficulty is intensified by the rapid changes of a
new community. Wheat growing reaches its apex and declines, lumbering
waxes, but neither begins nor culminates, movements feebly originate
that are later of absorbing interest. The adjustment of proportions
between these conflicting interests is delicately handled. The picture
is that of the time, but the stage in the development of each industry
is clearly indicated, and the origins of later movements given in some
detail. The volume will afford a base for histories of the earlier and
later periods, but has not skimmed their cream.
The technical character of the work is high. Newspapers and statistics
were not only used, but are analyzed. The great resources of the State
Historical Society were supplemented by personal interviews. The
volume contains ample footnotes, illustrations, a map, index, but no
bibliography. Its make-up is in the new, and more satisfactory, form
recently adopted by the Society.
The title indicates that the center of interest is the effect of war
on the Wisconsin community. This problem runs throughout, and is of
especial interest today. Mr. Merk emphasizes the relative facility of
adjustment in an agricultural community. Another general feature is
the tendency toward coöperation in industry, particularly agriculture,
for the purposes of education and general improvement, which later
became so characteristic of Wisconsin.
Agriculture properly opens the volume with its vital but somewhat
monotonous progress enlivened by the lively episode of hops. Lumbering
receives fewer pages, but two chapters; the first, on the industry,
the second, on the lumber wars. Railroads receive five chapters and
almost as many pages as both, including two picturesque fights, which
formed, in large measure, the basis of state politics during the
period. Banking and trade about equal agriculture, and reveal a state
youthful but less reckless than many others. A chapter on labor is
chiefly concerned with the beginnings of the labor movement, labor in
industry being largely discussed in connection with the various
fields. There are other chapters on mining, manufacturing, the
commerce of the Upper Mississippi, and the commerce of the Great
Lakes. No one reading of the lumber wars or the Anti-Monopoly Revolt
can complain that economic history is dry.
The most unique contribution is doubtless that on the history of
lumbering. Nevertheless the study of railroading reveals the
advantages in taking up so vast a subject by localities.
Generalizations become vivid by the detail that is given them. One
sees how the railroads were unscrupulous, how the voters were
unreasonable. The handling of such questions on a scale that involves
personalities is a searching test of historical poise, and Mr. Merk
shows a candor and a fair-mindedness that are impeccable; he sometimes
criticizes action, but never impugns the motive.
The reviewer hesitates to close without adverse criticism, for fear
that the review may be considered perfunctory. He could not, with
honesty, do otherwise than express his conviction that the work is
unusual in the degree and the well-rounded proportion of its
excellence. If anything more could be desired, it seems to be a
concluding chapter, not to add new facts, but to give a greater sense
of development. Each chapter moves, but the topical method brings its
inevitable result; one cannot entirely escape the impression of a
street corner rather than a river bank.