New-York tribune., 1877-03-13
NEW PUBLICATIONS:

N
By The Honorable GEoaGE SHEA ChietJnsnoe OIL Vho
MaIiue Court syo. rp. 10. Hurd Houghton'
The author of tlis essay proposes to issue
vo,ume in three parts Of which the first now presented
TO the public containing an estimate OF the poh'ical
sereees personal character, and administrative III
fuence Of the iustrious statesman to whoh II Is W.
voted The preparation Of the work has evidently o'cn
no holiday task II bes the impress OF thorough STUDY.
profound reflection and rare fidelity In It's literary exc
cpton The style is elaborate TO degree unusual in
any branch OF composition, with minute eXactnesS ol
finish almost like piece of mosaic art evihcing deep
sense OF the dignity Of the subject 5ut preserving the
vivacity and essential to popular hui''iNe.
Judge Shea presents snguarly discriminating we" OF
Hamiitons position in regard to the organization o 'o
Republic. He was not advocate OF monarchy as
has ahsurdly supposed, nor was he more iaVor-
able TO an unlimited democracy his dohihaat
idea was that of a constitutional Republic. heico
democratic" in his opinion, was but another hi'e 'or
license and anarchy republic implied the same oeio
cratic under regulation of supreme law lie maze
no concealmcnt Of his convictions When he spoke on
the subject II was fully and without reserve Ills itl
I'm an American republic was unwavering. He was con
1dcn that his principles would be accepted by the ma
ioii;y; hut at all events, they would command his hdc
ftv whatever the consequence 70 himself He ehcilSci
no Utopian desire TO graft upon the American clNilz
tion system which already rejected. was foreign TO
the genius Of its origin and development "Ihe Id'"'
he wrote at an carly period Of introducing monarchy
or an artocYacy into this country is one OF those NSon
ary things that but Inadmcu coId mediate ana
that no wise man win believe" The acquaintance OF
Hamilton with Tacyrand, who arrived in this country
I'm 1894 suggests to the author curious dSqUisltioh
on the comparative tendencies Of the French
and the American statesman. Their previous
studies and political experiences had many
things IN common. Unlike in their mental ana
moral natures, they readily understood each Other
aud even discovered strong foundation for mutual
evmpatY Each had been cmpOyedin similar questions
n,,, al Iuihli
at similar conclusions with regard to the basis OF ma
tioual prosperity. They had each similar opinions
moreover concerning the general nature and science OF
popular government Their conceptions Of legislative
assembly were derived from the English theory lher
studies had been in the deep AMI tranquil principles o
the English Constitution established by Alfred inc
Great and which, after having been OvcrboTae Tor centu
res by the Norman Conquest. revived in the Revolution
OF 1898 when TIE liberties Ol England were rosotlcd on
the ancient foundations. The principle OF the Lngsh
Revelation of 1855 the prototype Of the American
Revolution 177G. Taeyrand had wished as well Tor
France: but the revolutionary spirit in 1898 burst
through an restraints; desolatlon was spread far
and vide; the people became a mob; absolute
power WAS ccrtcrcd in a few hands; and the
Reign OF Terror ensued France attempted TO establish
philosophy by crii.c and liberty by license Hamilton
and TalcyTand had learned that true government was
law Constitutional law the only basis of perfect
liberty Judge Shea presents interesting personal
sketch OF Hamilton epoch OF the forma, ion of the
Constitution from materials furnished by near idIniy
relative who retained fresh recollection Of that event
ful period He q small 1.-the figure, instinct win
life; erect ana steady in gait military presence, with
ont the iutoerabe accuracy OF matinet and his gen
ern address was graceful and nervous, nd.catng Che
beauty, energy, and activity OF his mind bright,
rlddy complcxion Hght-colored hair mouth infinite
in expression, its sweet smile being most Observable ana
most spoken of eyes ustOu5 with deep meaning and re-
Election or duriG with quick canny pleasantly and the
Scot fish I'M
sion He was as may be inferred the welcome guest and
CHEEKY companion in all relations Of civil and social life
Ills political enemies frankly spoke 0f his manner and
converat on and regretted its irresistible cAarm lie
certainly hal correct sense Of that winch IS appropriate
totlc occasion and its Obiect-thc attribute (which we
call good taste. His manner, with natural elDsf be-
came very calm and grave when dchberltlOn and iuhnc
caIe claimed his whole attention. At the time of which
we now speak particularly O7s7l he was continually
breeding over the State convention then It hand: moods
Of el,.rossiug thought came upon him as he rod
the crowded streets, ana then his pace would become
slower his head be Slightly bent downward, ana, win
hand, Joined together behind, he wcAdcd s way MS
lus moyiug in concert with the thoughts forming IN his
mind THIS habit Of thinking, and this attitude, be-
came involuntary with him lie gew in years
The publication Of this work takes place at an opurtune
moment If brings into prominent view the principles Of
government which the essential conditions OF
national welfare The sacTcdne,S of individual tree
DOM combined with the supremacy of law, is the
rocky foundation ON which American liberties re-
pose The safe path between arbitrary despOtlsn
and Iawe,s anarchy is found only in the prescl-
walton of those principles, OF which the Federal
party was long the depository and Alexander Hamilton
the exponent and which have now met with apowerini
advocacy in exposOns and arguments of the present
work The author has proposed to himself noble enter
prise ana the Of its execution mas tuy
equaled the excellence Of its intention.