Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-17


Book otIee.
Hrsrnxr OF 1zE REruBlIc OF TaE Uxr1KD STATES OF
AMERICA, as traced IN the writings Of Alezau5er
Hamilton and bis Contemporaries By John c.
Hamilton VOL v. New YORK: D. Appleton Co.
1se0.
The day has not yet arrived for all men 70
view the life and character of HAMILTON
without prejudice. His career was such as
to call around him alike many friends and
many enemies. OF the latter were some OF
the most important personages Of his time,
of high public station and of great influence.
He Was, therefore, equally an object of praise
and Of censure. These feelings were SO wide
spread and so continually manifested during
mis- life, that they entered into and became q
part of the general hist DRY OF the times. In
deed, so intimately were himself, his friends
and organizing the Republic, and in starting
1t OF in the marvellous career which il has
since run, that these enmities are insepara-
bly, interviewer in the early, and the most
interesting and important part Of the history
of the government. Most OF the politicians
and statesmen, who have since come upon
the stage, in the study of that history, have,
almost unavOidabIy, formed opinions upon
the merits of the controversies which were
then carried ON by and with HAMILTON and
hence at this day, though the sod has covered
his grave for more than half cent ry, men,
not a few, are TO be found who still cherish
these animosities ready and willing to reiter-
ate all the charges that were heaped upon
the character of HAMILTON, during his life
time. There is yet strong feeling not only
against his political opinions, but against
his reciitnde and patriotism a man.
Perhaps near relative of HAMILTON is
not the proper person to undertake the task
Of settling forever the many mooted ques-
tons, which his biographer is compelled to
treat. The historian Who appears as the ad-
vocate Of House or Dynasty, rarely con-
vinces an intelligent public, that the result
of his labors should be taken as standard
authority. This general principle or truth is
applica bic in the present case. The enemies
of HAMILTON will uBquestiouably avail them
selves Of this circumstance to condemn The
natural partiality and strong personal inter-
est which the author must necessarily feel
i n his subject, which are intensified by the
injurious and unjust calumnies, which in his
estimation, have been, through long course
of years, heaped upon the name and memory
of HAMILTON, would most assuredly bias
mind, ordinarily the most impartial. Indeed,
the author of the work now under notice has
already evidence of the truth of these re-
marks, for scarcely had the first volume ap-
pear,d (nearIy three years ago) when it was
severely criticised in some quarters, and it
was charged that be was attempting to de-
tact from the glory and fame of WASHING
TON to add to the lustre OF his own patrony-
mic But We have been glad TO see the sue
ceeding volumes pass without particular
censure.
1t is not our purpose however, to enter into
these controversies. We think there is too
great disposition to keep them open, when
they can certainly be of little practical utili-
ty. Leaving them, therefore, entirely out of
the question, We may say that our author has
cal literature of the country. He has had ac-
cess to the archives of the Government at
Washington, and has pursued his labors with
great industry. A large proportion of the
work is made up of extracts from the anthem
tic materials which he has had at command;
and bears every evidence of being honest and
faithful. They are connected by such state
ments and explanations as make the work
connected and perspicuous throughout. His
style is elevated and dignifed, and well
adapted to the great events of which he treats
Aside from the interest which surrounds HAM
ILroN as the central figure the writings of his
C contemporaries are by no means dwarfed, and
the student of American history cannot
fail to recognize his obligations to the author
in this respect. We have but this additional
remark at this time Whatever may be
bought of the motives which actuated ALEX
AMBER HAMILTON, however high or unhcly his
a inhibition may be esteemed to Rave been by
his adversaries and enemies. there can be no
scarcely less than inspired genius.
There was hardly any issue involved IN the
Revolution which he did not handle, or any
question in The formation and organization of
OUT present Government that he did not dis
cuss; and he was master in all. To our mind
be was the most thorough and philOsophic
statesman of his time. He touched no sub
ject from his first essay on the rights of the
people prior to the revolution down to the |
abrupt close Of his life, which he did not |
probe to the bottom, and which he did not |
exhaust. The principles which he enunciated |
were of that class which are changeless. He |
always spoke Tor generations TO come as well |
as those present; and his labors win continue
for centuries to be source from which man
kind may draw instruction.