The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-10-06
THE REVIEW.

Arthur Holmes vol 12mo. 81 New York d.
Appleton Co 1859.
This is new book by a new author-his
first literary labor. The subject, also, is com
paratively new, it having hitherto been but
lightly and very imperfectly touched upon by
other writer's. Taken as a whole, the work is
chiefly historical, and is well put together. 1t
furnishes us an unambiguous account of the
rise, progress, and bearing, of all the more i'm
portant political organizations and ideas to
which our country has given birth; and it is,
therefore, not merely an interesting book for
the present, but is, besides, especially for edit
ors politicians, and statesmen, work of value
for all time Throughout the entire work, as
every one who reads it will observe, the author
exhibits much of that patient research and
sound philosophy which are always character
istic of the true historian. The following ex-
tracts afford fair illustrations of Mr.. Holmes
method of treating his subjects. In the intro
duction of his chapter on the Administration of
George Washington, he says;
" The history of the American Republic
stands without a parallel. Its origin is not
forth full in It's record, distinct in its outlines
1t has not passed through the pupilage which
has preceded the growth and development of
other nations; its infancy blended with its
youth, and its youth became merged in its
manhood with almost the rapidity that charac-
terizes the maturity of the individual. I'm
shackled by monarchical restraints, thought, in
its development and devotion to the rights of
humanity, kept pace with the unequalled
growth of the material resources of the coun-
try. A nation coming so suddenly into the
arena, with antecedents unprecedented in the
annals of the world, elected scrutiny, provoked
investigation, and won appreciation. And yet,
the form of government was not new. The
world had known republics since history be-
gan. At least, the form of popular government
was familiar; but the spirit, which is the soul
of the true republic, was unembodied till now
Family conceived in the old democracies, it
was invigorated by the free spirit which came
down from North Europe, and quickened the
States General OF France, the Confederacies of
Germany, the Independencies Of Italy, and the
Constitution of England, and now, coalescing
with religious liberty, it was to go forth to re
ceive a fuller recognition In the reconstruction
of society on the shores of the New World. 1t
feeg@aiped for America to make revelation Of
natural equality of man for hereditary privilege,
and to vest in the people the government hith-
erto resting on the irresponsible authority of a
monarch"
The author dates the overthrow of the Wing
party TO the campaign Of 1852, in which the
Democrats were united while their opponents
were divided. He continues:
" The overthrow of the Wing party was final
1t has been forcibly said, it died of an attempt
to swallow the fugitive slave bill Il is patent
that this bill and other features of the compro.
mise of 1850 were most obnoxious to the mass
of Northern Wings. What at first had been
merely sentiment, was fast assuming form as
a fixed principle. If they could not check Sla-
very, they would not lend their aid to promote
its extension The exigencies of the times
clearly foreshadowed reconstruction of mar
tes-at least, the formation of one which
should be opposed in principle TO the platforms
set forth by the two opposing parties in the
recent campaign Subsequent events FASTENED
the step foreseen to be necessary"
Among other important subjects, the case of
bred Scott is reviewed at considerable length.
and with much ability; but we have no room
for additional extracts. The book will at once
take rank as part of the solid literature of the
country.
North American Review. October 1859 Boston Cros-
by Nichols, & Co. Washington Franck Taylor
In this number of the Moth American we
find interesting critical reviews of the works of
Fenimore Cooper and Douglas Jerrold, and of
Cloughs edition of Plutarchs Lives. The ar
ticle on American Diplomacy in China is, at
the present juncture of affairs in the East, es-
i. loII Il
entitled Educated Labor, and the Depreciation
of Gold, are valuable and full of information.
Knick erbocker Magazine. October, 1859 New York
John A. Gray.
This magazine loses none Of its power of
entertainment by age. In this number we
have among other articles, spicy review of
Politics and Politicians, and some exquisite
gems of poetry. The Table Talk is wide and
various, as it always is, and is not the least of
the attractions of this monthly
The Atlantic Monthly for October is on our
table. It's contents are as follows: "Daily Beau
ty - "the Artist Prisoner the Minister'S
Wooing;" "Old Papers; /" Rifed Guns "
"A Trip to Cuba; )" Blondel y "the Won
dersmith 4" "Roba di Roma !" ola Mala-
Note; the Professor at the Breakfast Table"
We have received from the publishers, Peter
son l. Brothers, of Philadelphia, the first two
volumes of the cheap edition of Dickens's
works. They are published in the same style
as the Wdrerley NoUels, just issued by the
above firm, and the price for the twenty-eight
parts is but five dollars. The publishers de-
serve much praise for getting up so popular an
edition Of the works of this great Novelist, and
we hope it may find large sale.
The DocToRs Observation-Disclosures Ru.
chanan, in his famous letter to Professor Sill.
man, says:
:" 1t has been solemnly adiudged bv tho
highest judicial tribunal known to our laws.
that SlaUerg crisis IN Kansas By VIRTUE oftLe
Constitution OF the United States. Kansas is
therefore, at this moment, as much a slave
State as Georgia or South Carolina" -
Mr. Black, the Attorney General. and 4
fore the legal and constitutional adyisss
President, says in his elaborate "a IL
reply to Mr.. Douglas, that 4
The Constitution certainly does - g4ob-
t.sh Slavery in the Territories, nor anywheryz|
else. Nobody in this country ever thought or
said so. But the Constitution regards as sa-
cred and inviolable all the rights which citi-