A very notable contribution to the annals of our times is the
publication of the _Writings and Speeches of Samuel L. Tilden_[2]
This contribution is comprised in two volumes, and is so complete in
itself as to ensure a welcome from not only a large body of political
sympathizers and admirers but also from all students of American
political history. Mr. Tilden has the honor of being unquestionably the
greatest Democratic leader of recent years, and, in more ways than one,
of being a unique figure among the statesmen whom his country has
produced.
He was born in New Lebanon, N.Y. 1814, and before he reached his
majority he began to discuss political questions in print and on the
rostrum. In these early, as well as in later years, he was in his
instincts a conservative; as time moved on, he grew more and more fond
of the democracy of Jefferson and of Jackson, and their democracy, it
may be said, has had, during the past quarter of a century, no more
devoted or worthier expounder and representative than Mr. Tilden.
No question of paramount interest has arisen that has not, from the
Democratic standpoint, received his attention. When the nullifiers
assaulted the Union he stood by it; whenever anybody has undertaken to
advocate the American "protection" system, he has invariably denounced
it as unconstitutional, in this respect differing from another leading
Democrat, General Butler. Mr. Tilden also stood by the removal of the
deposits from the United States Banks, advocated the establishment of
the Sub Treasury, and was the first to contend for free banking. He
asserted the supervision of legislatures over charters of their own
creation. He protested against the nationalization of slavery in 1848.
These few specifications of a general character, to say nothing of those
of special interest, indicate something of the wealth of thought and
expression contained within the covers of these volumes. Of the minor
themes, one was exceedingly important in its day, and important also as
a lesson for future municipalities,--namely, the Tweed charter for New
York city and the story of the destruction of the Tweed ring. It is
herein presented with the fullest details.
Mr. Bigelow, the editor of the collection, has happily taken the time
for publication when Mr. Tilden has retired from active political
service; and thus the volumes may now be read with a less prejudiced
mind than in a former period of years.
It is impossible not to derive information and suggestions from a
careful perusal of these discussions, and inspiration from the
_dignity_ with which they are conducted; at the same time the
reader is somehow impressed in the perusal that Mr. Tilden is neither a
_great_ statesman _per se_, nor always a safe one to follow.
At this hour, it would be difficult to estimate the influence which he
has exerted upon the politics of his time. The accident of a political
defeat, rather than any extraordinary ability of his own, won for him
the remarkable and enthusiastic loyalty of his party, and perhaps also
a political immortality. As is still remembered, he bore his defeat
manfully and with a dignified grace unexampled in history, when all the
circumstances are considered, and this will be to his everlasting honor.
During his active participation in politics, Mr. Tilden was a partisan,
in the best sense of that word, as every man must be who lives and
_thinks_ under our system of government. He cherished principles
directly opposed to those of a host of his contemporaries, and this,
too, was a prerogative of his citizenship. Nevertheless, the integrity
of his character was never questioned, his motives were always
honorable, his opinions were generally carefully conceded and candidly
asserted, his acts never savored of trickery. We wish as much could be
said of many who have professed admiration of the man, as well as of
many who have not scrupled to malign him to a merciless degree.
[Footnote 2: The Writings and Speeches of Samuel J. Tilden. Edited by
John Bigelow In two volumes. New York: Harper & Brothers. Price $6.00.]
* * * * *
We have been particularly pleased with the four volumes which are
comprised in the "Garnet Series."[3]--They are, to speak first of their
mechanical attractions, handsomely made, as regards paper, press-work
and binding, and at once tempt the reader to look within. The object of
their publication is to furnish in neat but low priced books choice
reading to so called Chautauqua circles; and thus far there is a promise
of brilliant success.
The character of the contents of these volumes demands neither
explanation nor criticism at this time. _Readings from Ruskin_ is
edited with a suitable introduction, by Prof. H.A. Beers of Yale
College, and the selections are made mostly from the great writer's
chapters pertaining to Italy. The _Readings from Macaulay_ also
pertains to Italy, including the remarkable essays on Dante, Petrarch
and Machiavelli, and the Lays of Ancient Rome, and is pleasantly
"introduced" by Donald G. Mitchell. An exceedingly timely volume is that
entitled _Art and the Formation of Taste_, by Lucy Crane, with
illustrations drawn by Thomas and Walter Crane. It is one of the most
inspiring and practical books on the subject that have been written in
our generation. Charles C. Black's _Michael Angelo_ contains within
275 pages the principal facts of the great sculptor's life and labors,
faithfully and appreciatively recounted. It is, so far as it goes,
declared to be a very valuable work. We cannot too highly commend these
publications. Every one of them is an incentive to further reading and
reflection.
[Footnote 3: THE GARNET SERIES;--Readings from Ruskin--Readings from
Macauley--Art and the Formation of Taste--Life and Works of Michel
Angelo. 5 vols. Boston; The Chautauqua Press.]
* * * * *
Dr. George H. Moore is the superintendent of the Lenox Library and a man
who is not afraid to dip into old parchments and musty records. We wish
that there were more of his kind. Students of our local annals are
indebted to him for the preparation and publication of two important and
interesting brochures, which have recently appeared. His _Notes on the
History of the old State House_,[4] formerly known as "The Town House
in Boston," "The Court House in Boston," "The Province Court House,"
"The State House," and "The City Hall" was first read before the
Bostonian Society, last May, and was listened to with the closest
attention. The second brochure, embracing 120 pages, bears the title:
_Final notes on Witchcraft in Massachusetts_[5] and is a
vindication of the laws and liberties concerning attainders with
corruptions of Blood, Escheats, forfeitures for crime and pardon of
offenders, etc. This is the fifth pamphlet which Dr. Moore has issued on
the subject of Witchcraft in Massachusetts, and it concludes the series.
We hope, at a future time, to be able to refer to them again, for they
shed much light on our colonial history, and to our historical
literature constitute very valuable additions.
[Footnote 4: Notes on the History of the Old State House. By George H.
Moore, LL. D. Boston: Cupples, Upham & Co. Paper. 50 cents.]
[Footnote 5: Final notes on Witchcraft in Massachusetts. By same author.
New York: Printed for the author. Sold in Boston, by Cupples, Upham &
Co. Paper, $1.00.]
* * * * *
Mr. Smith's recent work on _The Science of Business_[6] should be
read, and its facts and arguments carefully weighed, by all men of
business. It professes to be a study of the principles controlling the
laws of exchange. Reasoning from analogies existing in the natural
world, the author logically deduces his law that civilization moves
along lines of least resistance, and contends that this law holds true
throughout the phenomena of mind also. The law of the survival of the
fittest is but another expression of the subject under discussion. "Do
we not see civilization," asks the author, "advancing along those lines
where the tractive forces are the greatest, where the least labor will
produce the largest crops, and where the obstacles to complete living
are the fewest? Do not people invest their money where it will safely
bring the largest returns? Do we not buy in the cheapest, and sell in
the dearest market? Does not the tide of immigration set from least
favored nations to the most favored?" There is still one other
law,--that motion is always rhythmical. These two principles or laws Mr.
Smith applies to his theories regarding general business, the iron
industry, the building of railroads, immigration, stocks, exchange,
foreign trade, etc. Indeed his theories are based on these laws, and are
worthy of consideration if not always of acceptance. We quote one
reflection:--"If we admit that business motions are in the line of least
resistance, and rhythmic, and that these rhythms show a tendency to
become balanced, we may conclude that panics and periods of depression
will always continue at intervals, with this qualification, the next
period of depression will not be as severe as the present, and the next
less severe, and so on, until, to all outward signs, they will at last
cease."
By reason of a lack of space, we cannot say all that we had wished to
say in regard to this work. It is, on the whole, a most ingenious
argument, well conceived and brilliantly sustained. We are not sure that
Mr. Smith has not explained satisfactorily some of the nuggets of
mystery which have so long puzzled the brains of business men.
[Footnote 6: The Science of Business. By Roderick H. Smith, New York:
G.P. Putnam's Sons. Price $1.25.]
* * * * *