New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-09-13
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

treating OF the perlOu from the dCO'9SiVh VI
John Adams to the Presidency to the com
mencement Of the commercial difficulties with
Great Britain under the administration OF Jeiier-
son. II has the same general characteristics as
the preceding volumes. Mr.. HIldreth writes
with no fear Of critics before ms eyes In spite
Of repeated admonltions. he persists IN the same
ueid simplicity Of narrative, which ne appearsto
deem essential to the writer Of history. lie is
never BETRAYED into the expression OF emotion
seldom into the use of rhetorical ornament.
Still he Is not a mere chronicer lie goes be-
yond the events which he describes to the pm
ciples which underlie them. You gam an idea
of the PROCESS Of thought IN the historical de-
velopmonts which he portrays, though ne does
not affect to give an exposition OF causes. lie
suggests more than he uniolds You are often
provoked by his abstinence from comments. II
seems sullen and ungena You return, howeV-
er to his pages with confidence IN ms research
es and carry away an impression OF each speclai
period, which is all the more distinct from the
wintry baroness with which It j, presented.
With the strong predictions OF the writer for
Hamilton and ms policy, and his utter detesta-
ton Of the character Of Jefferson, we were
curious to see # he would preserve the impair
TALLY of the historian in his description of their
measures After reading the account OF those
rlval statesmen, we find no reason to complain
that each does not receive the most rigorous us
tee The feelings Of the partzan have not
warped the judgment Of the historian lie has
presented his readers with abundant materials
for the formation OF opinion, without seeking to
forestall their decisions by his own reasoning. In
this he has done well. Such course enables
you to consult his narrative with sense OF safe
ty though you derive no qualification Of taste
from ms method of portralture
Mr. Hildreth's great talent OF silence Is no
where more stnkingly displayed than IN the
condensed breyity, with which he sketches the
character of Washington. after the announce
ment OF his docease.
Rare man indeed he was among actors on the mil.
nary and political stage, possessing IN the highest
degree the most imposing qualities OF Bfch
leader-delberate ana cautious wisdom IN Judging,
promptltudc and energy IN acting, steady, hrin IN,
domltable spirit, such as men rove 10 clhg 10 anu
RELY upon more than all an unSulled integrity, ana
sincere and dislntereSted devotion to ms couniry>
cause, such. indeed, as many punilc men or lhelI
followers for them pretend TO- but the ci1dt OF
which very few get and still fewer deserve History
records many names that dazzle the imagination
with "A greater brancy, but few. indeed, tha' shihc
with light pure, steady, permanent penetrating,
and serene. WashIngtons character ana reputation,
as contrastCd with those of other famous men,
seem to resemble ia effect the Done IN architecture
as compared with the Gothic and Oriental styles.
Those STYLES often excite, especially IN minds pecu-
harly liable vivid impressions the most cnthusiaS
tie pitch of admiration, appealing, as they DO not
alone nor chiefly TO the sentiment oil lhe oeautliu
but to the powerful emotions, also, OF surprise and
wonder, growing out of novelty, variety, comphca-
ton and yastneSS But these emotions especially
II We take into account the mass OF men anu succeed
In lla tn
subsiding INTO indifference, sometimes sinking INTO
contempt. while the SerenW sentiments, always and
everywhere inspired by majesty. order proportion;
grace and fitness, not less steady, universal and
enduring than the perceptions from winch they
spring.
In a subsequent passage We find contrast
between John Adams and John Jay, after their
retirement from Office much 10 the advantage OF
the latter
ADAMS AND JAY CoNrRA>rKp.
The eN- President retired to Brainirce state Of
mind htue to be enVed. Dellghllng a. ne did IN ds-
junction. and anxious for leadership and applause,
had he still remained The head and champion OF the
FedeTalstSt, his proud splrlt might have borne up
with eQuaniNuty, II not with eNultaon, against the
hatred OF the opposition, the taunts and shouts of
triumph with which they greeted hts retirement, and
the personal responsibility TO which he Was held ior
the Alien and Sedltion Laws, and every other OBJ
noxlous procedure OF The past four years but
when to all this were added tie curses, deeper. Al
not 50 loud of the Essex Junto responded to by
large par, OF the Federal leaders throughout the
country, denouncng hlm As traitor, who had SAcrI-
feed the good cause IN vain ana foolish auenp, 10
secure the votes and favor OF the opposition by I'M
worthy concessions, the expires dents philosophy
was completely oyerihrown. tiSht years Nier,
when time had somewhat fcShed over these WOUNDS,
they broke cut again With new mai gnancN reason
OF renewed attacks upon Inn N consequence OF
John Quincy Adans's abandonment Of the Fedora.
party. The celebrated CUNNINGHAM lettefS-a gepe
ut,on, on larger scale, OF the Tench Coke cores
pondcnce, already referred to-nOSl OF winch were
written al that time, and from which We have ALREADY
had occasion to quote, present striking proof how
the most pow erful judgments became incapable Of
discerning the truth through the disturbing medium
of lealouSy ane anger. and how little OF candor or
Justice Is 10 bc expected when hate and NlndlctSe
passion hold the pen. Even the Old mans last hours,
when past the verge ofnmeiy were disturbed by The
publication, Through gross breach OF confidence, of
these Cunningham letters, as part OF The election
eerlne machinery against John Quincy Alams> eie-
yauon 20 the presidency, provoking AS they dld, a
bitter cnuclSm nom Pickering then, also III extreme
old age.
and troublouS unrest John JAY, his compatgl0i and
fellow lahOrtr IN many trying scenes 10Y a quarter
OF a century. exhibited striking contrast. Having
refused to become again chlei justice, ana declining
10 be longer a candidate tor the eoNernorSAQ Of New
York considering his debt - tae puollc discharged,
though ten wears Younger than Adams, he >lmutA-
neously Withdrew into a voluntary retirement. pro
tracted through Sul longer period ana presenting
IN It's peacefulnesS and The universal ItS9Sc, which
il attracted contra>, 70 Adan>s as marked ~ iad'
between the eN-thlef Justices mud ouI steady arm
ness apparently forsetul NJ sell. and The lrnrio.e
vehemence and everaeiiye eso,Sm such marked
traits m the sN.PIcsldent's character
The Quarrel between Burr and Hamilton,
which terminated IN the death Of one party and
the disgrace OF the other, Is described a, length
HAMILTON AND BURR.
Disap pointed. and all his hopeS blgh;ed, as he be-
heved BY HamlltOn'S instrumentahty, BUR- became
eager for vengeance Illuminating was the contrast
between himself and Hamilton, 10 whom, IN hlS an
ger he was ready 10 ascrbe not his political defeat
merely, ous his blasted character also Though fall
en- nom ms former station OF commanding influence
IN the conduct OF affairs, Hamilton still enloyed the
unbounded confidence Of party. ou,num6ered. IN