The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-19

quent speech. II met with sucn immediate indig-
nant aud universal opposition tnat when the de-
bate cioseu he mad changed his side and was
among the most ardent and most sanguine for
perseverance, Ia the war. Taylor thinks there is
great exaggeration In the panegyrlc upon
Henry by Mr.. Wirt, and says that Henry had
much less efficient agency in The Revolution than
many Others" This Colonel John Taylor was the
friend OF Jefferson, who was TO die within lew
weeks after this conversation. lie had been
member OF the senate in 1892, thirty years pre-
vIousy, aud had taken an important part in tie
struggles or Virginia.
POLITICS DURING THE ERA OF GOOD FEELING.
TIE most valuable part OF Mr.. Adams book is
that which concerns the election for the Presi-
dency in 1924 At the close OF what is called "the
era OF good feeling" parties were IN hazy, unde-
fined position. The ieder2lists or republicans
ceased their distinctive party qulrrels; tue con-
troversies arising out OF The war OF 1872 and the
principles involved IN the formation OF the gov
ernmen; had grown DINNER and DINNER. Jener-
son, whose influence had been dominant for
twenty-1v years, was living in extreme old age
IN Monticello, while Adams, his great rival was
yerglng upon his ninetleth year at Quincy. Botn,
in very lew months, were 70 pass from the scene
OF their labors. their achievements and their en-
during renown. Mr. Monroe's administration
seemed TO be governed by the principle Of avoid
ing all responsibility, mourning no trouble and
uding the country over the effects OF the war OF
1912. Around him were daring, gifted men. am
bilious for the nonors Of the Presidency. There
was William Il. Crawford, q famous name In those
days, but now lost in the roar OF holster events,
Secretary OF the Treasury, Vrginian, settled IN
Georgia. who had been Minister to France under
Madison acJing Vice President in the Senate
during part OF Jeferson's administration and
Secretary OF tho Treasury under Monroe. Craw-
ford was the representative OF the Jenersonan
influence, or what remained OF IL, and at this
time was suffering from an attack OF paralysis or
rheumatism, which made IL impossible Tor him
even 70 sign the warrants OF the Treasury. An
drew Jackson was Senator from Tennessee, nav
ing won military position OF the highest rank by
his victories over the British in 1918 and over the
Semuoles in Florida aiterward. lie mad Just re-
tired from tile army, resignug the rank OF major
general and was now entering upon the political
phase OF his career, which was afterward TO be-
come so remarkable and 10 exercise so important
an influence upon the country. Henry Clay was
Speaker OF the House AID IN the forty seventh
year of his age, in the full possession OF his
brilliant and remarkable faculties Calhoun.
in the for;y-second year OF his age, had
attained rare eminence as one OF the
coming men OF the Republic. these were the
leading candidates for the Presidency. There
were whispers OF the nomination of,Rufus King,
then drawing toward the close OF his life, and re-
garded by Adams as one Of "the wisest and bes {
men In public nle.n De Witt Clinton was urged
by friends in New York, but New York did not
have the strength In politics possessed by yir-
gin!a or the South, and the ambitious leader OF
the Empire state was compelled 70 content him.
self with lesser honors.
PARTY ISSUES.
1t is difficult to understand the questions that
animated this canvass for the Presidency. Looked
at from this distance OF time, and even with the
advantage OF Mr.. Adams invaluable Information.
they become purely personal There was no
question to excite the passions The Missouri
compromise settlement mad SO determined the
question OF slavery that there is not an
allusion to the subject IN this sixth volume
OF these "Memoirsn although In otner pages
Mr.. Adams wrote with burning and bitter
anger upon the efforts OF the Southern men to ex-
tend the area OF slavery. The most important
questions were foreign. These never extended
beyond the discussions OF the Cabinet The ora
tors talked about Greek independence, and liberty
in South America and Panama missions. Now ana
then MIR. clay made shallow speeches on tue tariff,
but this had not assumed a tangible shape Tue
era OF good feeling seems really to nave been o
kind or armed truce. Monroe was to be permitted
TO pass out or the Presidency, and whichever OF
his rivals, by management, intrigue or personal
popularity, could attain the largest number OF
votes was 10 capture tue ONCE. 1t was canvass
OF passion and not OF principle.
PRESIDENT MONROE.
James Monroe, once President OF the United
States mas become faded memory. IL is DIM
cult 10 gather from Adams any impression OF the
character or ability o. the ex-President At one
time, In 1929 in August, he had an attack OF
cramp, and lay two hours In insensiblity, and
was believed TO be dying, In which event we
shoAld probably have had Daniel d. TompKlns
then Vice President, among our list or forgotten
Chief Magistrates. In one entry we note that Mr..
Adams thinks athe President is often afraid OF the
EKittishness OF mere popular preJudces. / am
always disposed TO brave them.u Monros evil
IDENTITY had an exaggerated idea Of the influence
OF European politics upon America. There are
many references TO the ''aarm and dejectionn
and the concern with which he dreaded COM
munications fpom foreign Powers. There was a
scandal on one occasion about the appropriation
Tor furnishing the Presidents house, and the
President furnished a memorandum upon the
subject "lnis memorandum" says Mr.. Adams,
"enLers into details OF q very humiliating charac-
ter, and winch ought never TO have been or TO be
required oil him." "There appears to be nothing
really censurable In all these ransactions.u
There arises from all this an exposure OF do
nestle and household concerns almost as incon-
gruous 10 tho station OF President or the
United States rs it would be to a blooming virgin
to exhibit herself naked before a multitude. The
mangnty Of political opposition has no feeling OF
deilcacy.n In this era OF good feeling there were
kitchen cabinets. aud on one occasion Adams
fears the French Legation 'has access TO the
President through another whispering gallery.
such Is tue way Of the world: there are winding
stairs in every drection.n on December IT, 1924,
Adams has an interview with George sullivan,
VINO comes TO tell him that the President Is In
stralgutened circumstances ana IS anxious to have
a clam presented 10 Congress on mis- behalfpef
II shall decide on the grant TO be made TO General
Lafayette. These embarrassments we're coca.
stoned by the payment OF money to his brother In
England they followed him 70 the END OF hts lie.
Alter his retirement from the Presidency ne was
compelled to ana refuge with his relatives 10 New
York, where ne dled in 1891, on the 4tn or July,
almost absolutely IN want.