New-York tribune., 1870-02-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS..
HENRY J. RAYNInNn.

As an editor, os q politician. and-to use phrase
which Is satisfactory from not being properly dis
srfrninativeas n man, the late bir. Raymond would
form very interesting subject of study to biog-
rapher capable of comprchending and estimating his
character and career. As an editor he reHlarka-
bly, successful the signs of his appearing in
the power he exercised, and the fortune lie derived
through the journal he founded and built mp. Az
politician. his rise and his fall were equally notable
hrst securing recognition in the old Wing party
during the last days Of its existence. then rising into
prominence and place with the new Republican
party the policy of which he upheld with more or
less constancy until he deceived and betrayed
by that istarred man. Andrew johnson. after
which be took line with the party which sus-
tanned Gen. Grant. As a man, his nature and char
acteristics were well worth studying Many OF his
aequaiuiances have a fondness for describing him as
s"singularly well-balanced mind"-as man whose
intellect and passions were always in eQuipose, who
bad great powers of perception and correlation,
whose temper was always under control, and whose
sense of justice always predominant But those
who give tins description should not leave it TO be in-
terred that he was incapable of enthusiasm, that he
destitute of the sympathetic instinct or that he
studiously repressed the subtle ndncalculabe
forces of the soul Nor should they lose sight of the
years of development and change, which from time
to time modified in many ways nature that never
lost its imprcss JlenesS and teXibjllty.
The life Of Raymond might be treated obeciirely or
saljocrely by his bographer II treated effectively.
the geographic material woud be more particularly
the records of the period in which he was public
figure; and the laws of historical determination
would be applied in judgment OH his life. If treated
sabjectively, the valuable material would be more
especially that of personal nature-prvate memo
randa and correspondence, the reminiscence and
memorabilia of acquantances the knowledge OF
motive and conduct possessed by intimate friends,
the traits of his mind, and other such aids to-
ward the formation of just estimate of his career.
We are sure that he is of the men who, If judged
Refely from the objective standpoint, would be
srievously misiudGcd. Not only would this be the
case bu, many parts of his career would be utterly
iaexpcabe. 1t used to be said of him while he vas
smember of Congress that his speeches we're on one
side and bis votes on the other. This was rude
Idea OF the case but it shows the necessity for
qualifying ones Judgment upon his acts by knowl-
edge of his men, characteristics BY understand
Ing Of his ratiocinatiyc habit, and tho logical dis
examinations from which he could never refrain.
Hence il is our opinion that in his life be
written at ALL it shOud he written if not solely from
the subjective point of view. yet with full appre
citation of the man himself and Of the ideas that
governed him in his public acts This does not imply
that it would be worth anybody's while to furnish
what the French call jUSfcaire biography; it does
not imply that the subject should bo "whitewashed,"
that his and trcspasses should be treated as
virtues il only that the life should be dealt
with intclligently, and that those laws of modern
criticism which have done much for the elucda-
ton of obseurtes in history and character should be
applied in this case aS in others.
We have heard that several biographies and me-
MORALS of Mr., Raymond wero in preparation. The
FIRST of these have received. 1t is discredt to
the book that cannot describe it written either
from the sHbjcctire Objectre point of vew But it
misfortune both for the author and his subject,
that there should be many signs Of haste careless
ness and iguOrlrce that there should bealOng with
such bulk of bOok-such exceeding meagerness of
mai erial and data; that there should be many in
accuIaces that there should be such unhappy mis-
understanding Of character and traits that there
should be such gTieyOus omissions concerning public
affairs in which Mr.. K. was an actor that there
should be such lack OF information bearing upon the
las. ten years of his life which, in a personal
biographical view, were altogether his most note
worthy years 1t is perhaps Of less consequence that
The author of the bulky book takes occasion to give
prominence TO so many of his grievances, and to
display 50 many of his animOsities against sundTy
and divers persons who were i'll other days. .or.who
are at this time. connected with newspapers.
We should certainly like to see something more
ereditabie than this in the way of biography of
editor and politician who deserves to be remembered
for the services he rendered at various times to his
country as well as for those admirable personal traits
which secured him, through all the vicissitudes Of
his career a large body of attached friends.
Those who had occasion TO be intim ately
quainted with him during the ten years that pre-
ceded his DEATH know how little it would be to his
fancy to see publicity given TO many of the mma-
ture experiences of his earlier life. In former times
he very fond OF what have been called intelec-
tHal gymnastics. Facle and vigorous with his pen,
he deli GIFTED in the display of his argumentatIve
powers and though sure he never wrote
in opposition to his convictions, yet he some
times found himself, found an adversary in
q position where he could not resist the tempta-
tion 10 indulge in logical fence for its own
sake. Later in life, he ceased altogether 10 ell
10Y this pastime. and though he might have
had no occasion to be ashamed of his earlier dis
plays, yet he was something more than willing that
they should pass into Oblivion. In earlier times also
he had newspaper Tivalries and annOsities which,
In later life, he glad 10 forget and 1t is wrong to
revive old memories which may wound those who
had enjoyed lis friendship for years before his death
In any case whatever be the plan Of a biography
of kind whatever be the reason of its existence
II ought certainly TO give idea of the character,
and a full view of the public life of its subject In
the present case there need have been no lack Of
available material. His relations with the press,
with politics, with public events ana public char
scters furnish large scope and abundant variety for
the biographer.
The multiplication of biographies of aman do not
increase his fame. A poor biography, like poor
picture OF a person. may do grievous wrong to his
memory If any other life" of the lately deceased
editor be written, il should display intelligence and