New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-16

dected the character or stability of the new gov
eminent appears now TO have been so Wisely oon
sentative that il is difficult to understand 'h0 '0
omous attacks made upon him in the iatcr ys"io
his administration But the heat OF poii'0,i
goes so far toward accounting 1or ,no Nio
these assaults that there Is no neeu Vi a''iie
pure malice to his opponents. oh le'io"s VIZ
struggle after lapse of fifty years. Judge DurheV
ouiatIy ramorks that "many circumstances over
which the mantle of oblivion nas poeu ''o "
MIGHT no uncovered which would account Tor inc
conapct Of the leaders of both parties without
oscribing 70 them more of self-interest or less OF
honesty of purpose than falls to the lot OF those
WIN are now called consistent politicians. some
mart of the Governors conduct was conuemheu oy
his best friends, and well calculated 10 eAc'o
a warmth of feeling in his opponents, whlch nish'
have led upright men beyond the limits OF mouera-
ton and even of Justice" This testimony from SO
iudicious a man as Judge Burnet, political friend
of ST. Clair and one who bears witness To MS
suavity OF manner well as to his uprlghth~SS oi
purpose is most valuable as emphasizing the gen
eral impression of the Governors character winch
is made by these papers His talents were superior
and his services valuable, but neither were Drill
liant Unfortunately the Governor did not make
SO modest an estimate OF his own powers, ana his
stately courtesy failed at times when he addressed
persons who committed the offence of dissenting
from his deliberately formed Judgment. This was
only a foble, perhaps, but it deblltated MS lhIu-
encc OF it did not justify the ridlcuie mis-
representation and persecution of bis enemies, ana
we can appreciate Mr.. Smiths outraged sense OF
Justice when comparing the patriotic and unseihsh
services of the Governor with the spirit Whlch
finally comprised his removal. In his warm adj
vocacy of the Governors righteous cause, the
editors generous passion draws him INTO entertain
ing the same high opinion of his hero which his nero
entertained of himself. This partially, however,
does not prevent the latter part OF MIR. Smiths
biography from being most interesting Mono
graph. As a summlr of the political phases OF the
carly history of the Northwest, it is invaluable
The development of the Territorial Government
through its various stages traced in a connected
narrative. and the naturally juceless details OF
establishing courts, dividing counties selecting and
administering laws and framing Constitution for
the new State are invested with fascinating in
teIest.
St. Clair was one Of the minority who struggled
against the establishment of a State Government.
When the Convention met at last, and the dissolu-
ton of the Territory was at hand, we can appre-
ciate the depth of meaning in the language OF the
Governor after fourteen years of honest service
when he sand: My feelings have been those OF
father who saw the day drawing nigh which was
a
watched with all the varied emotions Of parental
affection into the world where dangers wait at
every step and where the first would probably be
decisive of his future fortune No doubt he spoke
truthfully too, when he said, i'll alluson to his
official ability TO retaliate upon some Of his enc
mics: The Governor has always dlSdalned to re-
venge the injuries offered to the man." lie had
fairly earned the right to style himself the father of
the Free West, and in looking back over the long
years during which the Territory was under his
charge, he was conscious that ms inspiration had
been drawn from nober motives than personal
enmities OF lavoritsm. In addition to this honor
able official career. Mr.. Smith adduces some IN
genous proof to show that the passage of the Ordl-
nance itself was due in considerable degree to his
efforts The authorship of the most characteristic
portions of the Ordinance had been ascribed by
various authorities to Jefferson, Nathan Dane and
Rufus King until Mr.. Poole seemed to have settled
the question finally by giving the entire credit of It's
massage and the chief credit of its authorship to the
Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, of Massachusetts,, YER
satile gentleman who was at once a theologlan, a
man of science and lobbyist of high degree. This
divine Is one Of the picturesque figures of the age
Representing large landed interest in tho new
Territory the familiar Of franklin and tie savants
of the time, an author of note, an ex-Mem0er OF
Congress and conversant with the ways OF legisa-
ton of stately bearing and couruN manners, given
to relating anecdotes aud making himself agreeable
and delighting in the society of beautiful and ac-
complished women" Dr.. Cutor amply
eouipped for writing anything-ordinances included
| and steering any worthy or profitable measure
| through Congress. Mr.. Smith admits the value of
| the Doctors manipulations, but he damages his
claims as an originator of the capital features of
| this Ordinance. The treatment of this question by
| Mr.. Smith is skful and convincing, and there will
| be no dissent from his conclusions that the
measure n its essentials Vas growth and not
! Sudden inspiration, that ii had many authors and
St. Clair from his commanding position as President
of Congress rendered signal service in securing Its
| adoption.