New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-09-25
1.-The Republican Party and its Presidential Can.

1.-The Republican Party and its Presidential Can
didates" is the title Of fair l2mo. of 5l2 pages,
by Benz. +. Hall, which has recently been issued.
II is q summary of the Political History of our
country under its Federal Constitution, showing
tie essential identity of the party now supporting
Fremont and Dayton with that founded by Thomas
Jefferson. We do not think this view consistent
with all the facts in the case Any party fit to live
will necessarily accept and maintain the better
principles, ideas and purposes Of each of its prede
cessors-those which have stood the test of time
and experience-and reject those which have
proved mistaken and fallaeous This is the dictate
of Reason Wisdom, Progress-thus only can
growth be secured and a healthful vitality main
tanned Dir. Hail. ike other historians who write
TO maintain preconceived and arbitrary theory,
often distOrts the facts to suit his purpose-that s
he exsgQerates some and belittles others. so as,
without actual misstatement, to produce false i'm
pressions. Thus Mr.. Hall makes Hamilton the
founder of the Federal party, and slurs over so rs
to all but conceal the fact that Washington was an
original and Jealous Federalist. In fact, all
the .Jefersonsn histories of Washington's
Administration cOuntenance the impression
that Washington was nonentity or q pup
pet, which is grossly unjust alike to his own
memory and to that of his Jealous and steadfast
supporters Washington lived and died Federal
list, active, jealous and incorporating, with the
faults as well as the virtues of his party, and no
more likely to be sweryed from his original con-
yictions BY the influence of those surrounding him
than was Jackson or Clay. The last public act OF
his life was hisvote for the Federal candidates in his
county at hotly contested election when TO sup
port them involved the support of John Adams and
the Alien and Sedtion Laws, against the doctrines
Of The Virginia and Kentucky - Resolutions of'95,
and of course against their real author, Thomas
jefferson. Let The truth be- spoken at all times.
Mr. Hall fails likewise to do justice to the oppo-
nents Of our last war with Great Britain in assum
ing to state the grounds Of their opposition. He
says that Mr. Secretary Monroe declared in response
to Admiral Warren, that "our Government could
'not hope for durable peace until the question of
"iupressment was settled" but fails to state how
that question ras settled, or what became Of it in
the negotiations for peace.
We take these exceptions (Which might easily
be extended) to the nature of Mr.. Halls under
taking rather than to its execution. The author
has performed his task conscientiousy, in such a
manner as TO throw considerable light on our con-
stitutonnl history; but such work, to be in the
highest degree instructive, must be written from
tie stand point Of absolute impartialty. 1t is IN
fortunately true that many histories are partisan
pamphlets, but it does not follow that partisan
pamphlets are truly history. Mr. Halls book is
enc Of the best Of bad schoOl-goOd tempered,
honest and conscientious, but still history pre-
.ented To make out q case, and b be regarded &C
cOrdiDgly. Viewed in that light, we can heartily
recommend it to young inqurers as among the
most dignifed and lucid works of its class, and
calculated TO shed much light on its general sub.
ject. Take it up with thorough comprehension
that no party ever was faultless, and no party
advocate 10, or ever was infaHble-thst the Fed
eralis.s and the Republicans Of Jeferson's era
We're each right on some points and wrong on
others-that time silently rots away the base rOcl
and leaves the pure gold more and more exposed to
observation and requirement. that to collect
this and reject that is the proper duty both Of
patriots and parties Of to-day-and you may read
Mr. Halls book with decided instruction and
profit.