New-York tribune., 1874-06-30
i, NEW PUBLICATIONS.


wv, SONS HISTORY OF THE SLAVE PowEm
AIsT00RRGT I0RTR or IN IAN hMERfCA. By Henry wnsoS. VOL
it syo. pp. 7o4 James r. Osgooo w. .,,
The pcriod to which the present volume Oh ny,
.yyilsons important contribution 20 'ne p'"uo"'
Aistory of the United States is devo.eu eA'.nus
~ha aim;ssou of Florida in 1s45 to the eiecton oi
r,.os;aont lincoln IN 1860. During this epoch OF
a., o.rs the events which eliminated IN the
,var ~ the Rebellion in the process OF RAPID
aevelopment presenting scenes OF mingied Nrror
and hone that are described by the author Win I'M
,ressjye dramatic effect in spite OF the caiInness Oh
his judgments and the modest reticence OF his man
ner Although he was prominent actor IN the
movements which he relates, inspired with pro
found conviction of the justness OF his cause anu
devoted to its interests with an earnestness that
could brook no measures of compromise, ne writes
with singular freedom from passion, and evidently
alma at accuracy of statement rather than intensity
of expression.
Mr. Wilson commences his narrative from the ac-
uuisiton Of Texas in which the principle was dis-
tinctly proclaimed that slavery had become na-
tional interest From this point the slave power
grew more aggressive and virulent Everything
was made TO yield to the exgencies OF the system.
In the debate on the admission OF florlda the os'
revolutionary sentiments were avowed. Inc 1eeine
of loyalty to the country was oversnadoweu oy .no
was but a question of time. The death Oh 'onh
onincv Adams in the Winter Of 1S4S gives occasion
10 the author for q highly discriminating view OF
the services Of that venerable statesman to the anu
slavery cause.
Thoush Mr. Adams was guished above all others
An his earnest, persistent and finally TRIUMPHANT & Nl1
cation Of right of petition and freedom OF speech,
he not at least until near tne e1se % ot e never
affiliated from whom he often received seVere nnlied
words indicating little confidence in their plans If in
their purposes. OF action. Yet he was uHsneu es
his voice that frst enuncised the docrine-novel 10
ALL and greatly disasefni to slayeholders-o tne rpn'
Of the Government, under the war power, 70 emsncr
pate slaves the very right on which President Lin
coin based the Proclamation OF pa e hi. views
changed IL his adherence OF slavery DID not nerease
e more and more cognizant of the Vaccinations
who seemed determined either TO make tne
entirely suoseryent to the behests OF tne %
power destroy His long IN 1 PnDc rn
ars intimate relations with public lem men Ss rS
his consummae knowledge OF the schemlnss anu Tue Tue
souSht merely 10 promote their own personal and
tsan ends. protected him from what deceived oners
the siiences OF those who spoke loudly and in,e
by in his by the latter as by the former 5Shn ls
asrous failure of the great Rebellion states that ,ne
policy and %a ob raep M avo%as the
acquisition of Texas was mainly sought 70 enena asa
&r Botts gives the substance Of an interview after he
had expressed sentiments he had not been understood
House.S he said we walked down together,
S wnsS sS0f do SSs now precisely
said that thought did intend TO say all that his
oSaa snS %R ssd
YOU are not an Abotonist.' Yes, am said he
Of country struck down by south
such as are openly avowed no
Within bin my reach must hsnt Devil with his own
peiae snS With 10 the Se ASoton ho
10 heretofore. II the South had consutea ner truo
Rule Texas question: their institutions wola
have been endangered by the North; PUT IL a1
and Others OF Democratic party, then NO one can
foretell what may be the consequences
Nor did Mr. Adams express his conyictionsin equiv
ocal words. He publicly denounced the existence OF
slavery as a moral pestence which preyed upon the
human race and the great evil suffered by the
race of men, He had witnessed the increasing sue
cess of the slave power for many years. But his
deep sense ofits atrocities made him hopeful OF Its
speedy downfall. In this he betrayed deeper IN
sight into the workings of the system than was pos
sessed by the more vehement reformers VINO re-
croaehed him for his lack of zeal and cooperation
The accession of Mr.. Seward and Mr.. Chase to the
Senate soon after the death of John Quincy Adams
served TO certain extent, to supply the vacancy oc-
casioped by his loss. Both were deeply1nsplred
Nv the sprit of freedom and had labOred earnestly
in its behalf. Both were men OF large Capacity
superior culture laudable ambition and tireless IN
5nstrv. and their entrance upon this new and
broader sphere Of action was welcomed by the anti
slayery men of the nation with high and exciting
hopes that they would prove worthy champions of a
noble cause Norwere these hopes doomed to disap-
pOintment"
The course of Mr. Webster in connection with the
compromise measures of 1850 is related with great
completeness of detail and with remarkable tender
ness to the memory of the ambitious Massachusetts
Senator. His virtues are exhibited in resplendent
light and the softest mantle of charity Is drawn
over his conspicuous faults.
After an eloquent Of the evils Of dsunion the
impossDty OF peaceful secession and the fearful re-
spoDsibity resting upon congress 70 avert sucn
calamity, with an expression OF his wingness 70 pur-
chase at fair price portion OF Northern Texas dor
the colonization OF free persons OF color
&e closed with OF his grand peroraton resplendent
teriy power; and 1t fell heavily on the friends
of TRUTH. Justice, and freedom, then battling
aud supremacy. Disappointed and greved
Sy his sudden detection. thousands who had loved,
Indignant hearts left him In the hands Of his new
found friends who had won to the service OF the slave
Power his great name. his exalted position and rare
wits OF 10 be unEratefully repaid
with neglect and f0rgefuness.
In esnaung the causes Of this sudden and disastrous
change in his course, IL must be borne in mind that Mt
Webster was among the recognized asprants Tor the
Presidency. His commanding talents and large public
country would deem him worthy OF that elevation 1t
a. known too. that he had felt keeny his failure to
conviction, he mournfuly expressed it, that there
was no North" and that the South alone was IN
expect that the coming election would afford him his
last chance In this state OF mind the natter
sng assurances Of Southern men exerted an undue
Influence, and persuaded him to enter upon q
path in direction contrary TO all the teach
ings and practices OF his previous life Reconcing
further to this change his apprehensions the
disastrous consequences OF further disregard OF South