Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-06-22
BLAINE,S BOOK.

Mr. BI,uNE's new book, Twenty Years
osCopcreSs, viii prove a valuable contri-
,r,;op to the history of American politics.
9b. frs, volume is laid on our table, which
,,,cmencrS with q review of the events
nb;cb lei to the political revolution Of 1860
.r3 comes on down to the close OF Mr.. LIN
,,>', administration. Ii is written in Mr..
n u>ES peculiar style bright, spark
rn, fascinating. There is not
chapter in the book but
Mil intrrrS, the reader. 1t is not a dry
s.,ri,,;ca' history of facts and events, but is
sr interesting sketch of men and measures
,b,. were prominent in the eventful time of
,ybirh ne writes. Mr. BLAINE devotes more
sr,rr 20 sketches Of eminent politicians
,l,r he does TO q discussion of POLITICAL
,n.a,ar>. His personal sketches are more
,ar.tauug to the general reader
,han the attempted philosophical dis
c,s,ion Of political issues, Mr.. BLAINE
+, ,oo much of a partizan to be
4 philosopher, and consequently his views
ng measures of policy and govern
meaIa-r 100 much tinged with the partisan
bias 70 Pc OF any real value as history. His
recollccuonS of men, however, are given
with tairncsS and the impressions that would
naturally hc made upon the mind of a
Young man peculiarly constituted as was
Mr.. BLNNES.
One Of the most interesting chapters in
the book is the history of the Chicago Con-
vention OF 1860 when ABRAHAM LINCOLN
wa, 6rs, nominated by the Republican
ra-.v HeartribuicS LrNCoLx'S nomination
s.. tha, time to the outside pressure ofthe
UGnoj, people who had cOngregated at
Chicago 70 shout for their favor
lie candidate. He thinks if
~ Cnwru,on had been held in New York
that Ssu ,En would have been nominated.
In that connection he makes use of this Ian
-uaEr The power Of the mob in con.roll-
in, public opinion is immeasurable. In
o onarcaja, governments II has dethroned
iag, aal IN republics dictated candidates"
IN the '-hr Of recent events the scenes at
Chicago in 1860 evidently made a lasting
Impression on the author which he utilized
10 ADVANTAGE nearly quarter of century
later
The most interesting chapter OF the book
=. our home readers is that which discusses
he admission of West Virginia as State
into he Union. Without making
positive declaration TO that effect Mr..
BLAINE leans to the opinion that
The formation of our State and its admis-
son by Congress was a stretch Of cOnstitu-
..ona! power, and can only be defended as
an exercise Of the War power" of the
Government He gives special prominence
% the opinion Of }. RoTH STEVENS who said
shen voting for the bill to admit the new
state Il viii not stultify myself by suppos-
NJ that We have any warrant in the Con
tuition for this proceeding" Further
oRg MR. BLAINE urges that it was the duty
f the General Government TO have as
umci a part Of the Virginia daA'' ""u |
links II hardship that OF all the States in |
rbelliou the autonomy of Nir- |
mia alone was disturbed. He !
ases Virginia's claim upon the charity Of |
ae federal government because she was
o}hed of her territory for the advantage of !
LIE people Of the whole Union. He saws; |
The organic law would not have been |
,-s;n,,3 l~gal actions would not have been
r,ru..~j contradictory theories would not /
u ve h..n indulgei. If a great national in
.-.,, lad not demanded the creation OF
F~,r Virginia. The author is kind |
uDu.h % say however that West Virginia
, not rputed either in Law or in equity 10
ay snv part Of yirginia's debt. For that
much We thank him. and will refer to him
IS Authority when the Syndicate comes
1"ing around US about that little bill they |
.a.m We are owing them.