The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-23
THE FIELD OF LITERATURE.
New Books.

Twenty YEARS OF CONGRESS- From Lincoln to Gar
Bill Publishing Company Norwich, Conn. Sold by,
subscription j. E. Heiskell, Indianapolis.
The appearance of the first volume of James
G. Blaine's Twenty Years of Congress" marks
an epoch in American literature With the ex-
ception of Bentons Thirty Years View this
history of the remarkable events that transpired
from Lincoln to Garfield is without parallel.
The opportunities afforded men long engaged in
public affairs in connection with national events
are not often taken advantage of, primarily be-
cause the inclination is not strong enough, and
for the further reason that 1t Is
often impossible for the statesman to
lay aside the inevitable prejudice that
must attach to his views and to dissociate par
tsan triumphs from national achievements. In
these directions Jefferson Davis failed to strip
himself for his work, and, as a result, he has
written so much that is biased and embittered
by personal recollections of defeat and disap-
pointment that his ''history" is valueless, and
can not long survive its author. Mr.. Blaine has
had an easier and pleasanter task. 1t is much
more agreeable to forgive the vanquished than
to SO far forget the triumph of the victor as to
give him credit for valor.
to review and estimate the moving events be-
tween 1860 and $780, His intimate connection
with them as public man and prominent char
acter has furnished him with all needed data.
AS member of Congress, as Speaker of the
House. as United States Senator and as Secre
tary of State for brief time, he has been in po-
sitions to intimately know of what he writes
His qualifications will pass unquestioned. 1t re-
mains only for him to step out from the parti-
san and to assume the judicial and discrimin-
ating character of the impartial histo-
rian. That he has succeeded in this perusal
of this work proves The first volume of six hun
dred and fifty octave pages, handsomely printed
and containing fine steel portraits of the author
and of lincoln, besides smaller ones of notable
characters of the time of Lincoln's administra-
ton, is now being delivered.
The writer takes up the first hundred and
fifty pages in recounting the events from the
earlier days of the republic that ultimately de-
veloped into the war of the rebellion. His est
mate of the political forces and influences that
brought about the peculiar state of affairs that
obtained at the time of and
Immediately following the Harper's Ferry
fasco are of a character to reflect credit upon
him. The student of the country's political his
terry is given clear insight to it, and in such a
manner as not to leave him unduly influenced.
In the treatment of leading and prominent men
of the opposition he has been remarkably fair
minded according them full measure of credit
for eloquence, for learning and for sincerity
where the latter virtue was evident In present
ing his opinion of contemporary public men Mr..
Blaine has been singularly free from any evil
dence of envy, rivalry or other spirit than one
of candor and generous appreciation,
Whatever may be the outcome of Mr.. Blaines
life as politician, he has prepared fitting evil
dence of the versatility of his powers. The ex-
tent of his information adequate to the work
undertaken, nor has he confined himself to inter
nal affairs alone, but in every instance where
foreign influence has wrought upon the polity of
the American republic, he has clearly set it forth
His exposition of England's specious plea il be-
half of free trade is specially good, and should
Teeeive the carefulest consideration Of every cit
izen at this juncture in the discussion of this
great question of political economy. The work
is already assured of widespread circulation, the
popularity, the prominence and the &C
knowledged ability of the author causing very
general desire to secure it. 1t will be valuable
reliable and authoritative addition to the
literature of the war, its causes and its effects