New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-31
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
GREAT AMERICANA


rns soL tAvaITr ~ d aa 'THE sSs@s. lS~s r.
Rsa. H. Appleton &He.
Mr. boutwell, has In this little volume recorded
some of his rccolections Of four eminent Ameri-
cans, namely, Rufus Choate, Daniel Webster
President Lincoln, and General Grant. Inc
sketches arc interesting from the fact that they
arc based on the observation Of a public man VINO
has himself occupied important positions' anu
whose knowledge Of the political history OF MS
time 10 intimate and extensive. But u cahh"'
ne said that he has thrown much new light upon
the distinguished personages he concerns himself
with Here and there evidence Is AFFORDED thap
he could had ne chosen, have added CONSIDERABLY
to the common stock Of that knowledge OF the
personalities of these great men which Is always
and inevitably so eagerly sought and so heartily
welcomed Possibly he thought that everything
had already been said in that direction. but there
is ALWAYS a demand for fresh anecdotal and per-
sonal information, and OF this Mr.. Boutwell, gives
too little His estimates of his subjects are high,
and in general accord with the views which have
been accepted alike by their contemporaries and
successors.
Concerning Choate, indeed, he is so pronounced
I'm his enthusiasm that some Of his comparisons
may appear almost extravaGant. In distinguish
ina between men of speech and men Of action, he
expresses views curiously like those of Mr.. FrOude
In his new book on The English in the West
Indies, to the effect, namely, that genius In
Oratory and capacity in craftsmanship are not
often combined in the same person. Nor can
1t he asserted with confidence that any great
orator was ever eminently successful in the prac-
teal affairs of government In his own field
however he considers that Choate without
a peer summing up his conclusions in the decara-
ton :" that for all the varied exigencies Of pro-
fessonal life, Rufus ChOate the best equipped
advocate who stood in judicial forum and
spoke the English language
In speaking Of Daniel Webster, Mr.. Boutwell,
admits that lie at least was an exception to the
rule which separates oratOry from craftsmanship
and yet events proved that at the crucial point
Webster failed in craftsmanship, his 9TH of March
speech marking in the clearest way the line
between the politician and the statesman. His
great intellect did not enable him to grasp the
true and full meaning of the impending conflict.
Turn to Lincoln, and the contrast is instructive.
Long before he entered active politics, when he
a broodng youth. in fact, the great liberator
realized the impossbiity either Of avoiding the
irrcpressihle conflict of dealing with it by half
measures Mr. Boutwell, is satisfied that Lincoln
had determined upon emancipation long before
he preached the subject to his Cabinet lie was
convinced that the measure would have to be
adopted, and he only withheld it until in his
judgment the fitting time had arrived. The
superior greatness of Lincoln further shown
in the fact that personal ambition never detected
him a hairs breadth from the expression Of his
convictions; whereas, Wcbster's ambition mar
rowed his Views and belitted his attitude upon
the foremost issues of the time
1t is, indeed, marvellously true of Lincoln that
the closer he is viewed the greater he appears. 1t
may well be said of him that
Whatever record leap 10 light
lie never shall be shamed.'
II could be wished that Mr.. Boutwell, had told
of Lincoln's personality, for he must
possess store of "reminiscences of the war period.
But he simply confirms what has been written
and said of the Presidents character and ways.
Mr. Boutwell, observes In prosecuting the war
for the Union IN the steps taken for the emanci-
patton of the slaves Mr.. Lincoln appeared to
follow rather than to lead the Republican party.
But his own views were more advanced usually
than those Of his party, and he waited patiently
and confidently for the healthy movements Of
public sentiment which he well knew in
the right direction" No doubt this is a correct
estimate of Lincoln's habit of mind, but it is
not so easy to understand how seeing that he
usually in advance of his tarty Mr.. Boutwell,
can be justified in saying, subsequently, that he
owed his greatness mainly to his fidelity to the
measures of his party. He certainly was faithful
to Republican principles, ideas and measures, hut
his clear cption had rule outstripped their
crystalzation and, Mr.. Boutwell, says, he
usually had to wait until the party eau hit up
with him. This is the definition of leader.
not of follower, and leader Lincoln assurcdly
In point Grant and Lincoln were alike.
Both early realized the necessity Of DESTROYING
slavery as condition of future peace between
North and South. Grant wrote to Washburne:
tafnp m npna NV in fba
bellion that the North and South could
live at peace with each other except as one nation
and that without slavery. As anxious as / am
to see peace established, j would not, therefore,
be willing to see any settlement until this ques-
ton is forever settled" Certainly the expression
of such view in SG3 goes far to justify Mr..
BoutwelPs assertion that Grant, in addition to
his military force possessed qualities Of
true craftsmanship; for, the biographer truly
observes, There In the North in
August, 1868, who were called statesmen, who
did not that slavery was the cause OF the
war; and that permanent peace could be secured
only by its destruction" The point is well
taken, and Grant is entitled to all the benefit of
It. Nevertheless the historian is on safest ground
when considering the m litary services of General
Grant, and there no need Of apology or defence
will ever be felt. Mr.. Boutwell, bears this personal
testimony to Grants character: II knew
him when he In health, In prosperity
and in power / knew him when he vas borne
down by adversely and marked by fatal disease.
In all conditions he was the same man. No
change Of fortune could change his character lie
was imperturbable in spirit, obedent to the de-
mands Of justice constant and faithful in his
friendships, and to the last he was devoted to the
country that he had served and saved" That
would be noble eulOgy upon any man. There
Is to doubt that spoken of Grant, it