New-York tribune., 1879-06-06

FIRST BLOWS OF TIL f CIVIL WAR. BY JAMIE 6. PIKE
syO, pp. BIS The American News Company.
The contents of this miscellaneous volume
comprise a selection from the correspondence OF the
author with the newspaper press during the ten years
of discussion and conflict prior to the OF
hostites in 1861 Mr. Pixies vigorous and racy letters
TO TIE TRIBUNE and other prominent poticai Journals
of the eventfn decade from 1850 to 1860 called forth
wide attention when first published, and exeTted u
marked influence public opinion. They were eagerly
read extensively quoted, severely criticised as well
warmly appauded, and threw not lutte light
the secrets of legislation and the course OF
political action which prepared the way Tor
the Civil War; Much Of their interest has, OF
course passed with the lapse Of time the spec
ulatOns which they present have been realized In ac
tion and the history Of which they furnish significant
materials has been written in letters OF blood. Still rs
authentic record of events which are fading from
the memory the present generation they cannot fall
TO command certain degree Of attention Their In
trnsc qualities, moreover are such as viii tend TO
redeem them from the oblivion which Is almost
await the productions Of contemporary journal
ism The selections from the labors of the most
powerful writers have in few been attended with
eminent success. Volumes eeming with wit. and wis
DOM and brilliant composition which have ventured the
cxperim ent If collective edition, have fallen lifeess
press. and IN spite OF great and distinguished
names have met with failure no less signal than the
ecat which greeted their appearance originally pub
u. w
and the essays of Hamilton, Madison, and JAY known
as the Federast." and perhaps two Others Of
less conspicuous note scarcely work OF the lDd has
attained permanent place in literature. The present
volume, however has many characteristics That chal-
lcnge longer date II contains numerous expositiOns
and disclosures that viii the attention Of the
student of political history The writer was often be-
nina the scenes and able bring to the front i'm
portant facts which, but for his vigilance and IN
sight, would have failed TO see the light at
the opportune moment. His comments on passing
events are always sagaciOus, often profound, never
superficial, and sometimes showing a farreaching
breadth of vew and guar clearness OF political fore
sight and prediction Mr.. Pixies personal sketches OF
the leading statesmen of the period with which he often
envens the progress of an argument the recital OF
debate, among the most admirable portions Of the
volume. His judgments Of character are as keen as
they are comprehensive, and his portraitures are
equally remarkable for business OF conception and
felicity of expression. The general style Of his
CORE spOndence is rarely met with I'm the litera-
ture of journalism His af1uence of Illustration
never runs into unlicensed exuberance, but is
always in place as a reinforcement OF his
argument The vgor of his dicon the natural fruit
of his Of feeling and his Intensity OF CON
vction finds fit utterance In his bol1ness and originality
OF expression In reading his letters is constantly
impressed with the cOnsunmate skill which makes use
panest of English for clothing tho most pregnant
of ideas, without seeking show OF strength In high
soundng epithets and Elusive imagery. In addition TO
correspondence OF the author which furnishes ample
materials for volume OF sterling value and Importance
he has introduced piebald letters
from a crowd of personal acQuanances. mostly mat
tiers of purely private and utterly trivial and
insignificant in their character. which much out Of
place amid the grave discussions OF the work
as Falstafs ragged regiment would be IN column Of
mailed and disciplined troops.