The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-13
HENRY ADAMS HISTORY.

The third and fourth volumes Of Henry
Adams History Of the United States"
have low been In the hands OF the reading
public for almost month, and II is neither
too much nor too little TO say OF them that
they amply fulfil the promise of the first
volumes. They cover the four years Of the
second administration of Thomas Jefier-
son, beginning with his second inaugura-
ton. and closing with his final retirement
to Monticello.
Az In the former volumes, the foreign re-
lations of the United States during the i'm
portant epoch covered are treated more
fully than any other branch Of the subject.
This b not 70 BE- wondered at. however, for
tho history OF the United States during that
period b the story OF their relations with
the powers Of Europe. Throughout the
four years covered by the volumes the
titanic struggle between Napoleon and the
Gcrmanic world was shaking government
10 its very foundation and ssraining the
social fabric 70 its utmost tension. Upon
the result Of that struggle depended the
future, not Of Europe alone, but Of the world.
Much more completely than is generally un-
der stood was the history of the United
States merged Into the history of the great
conflict. Again aud again was the feeble
western republic drawn into the path OF
the storm international law. even the
usagcs OF civilization, became as nothing,
and the bellieerents. without exception,
waged . warfare against the United States
which Was limited only by the limitations
which nature had set upon their power to
tnjure the young nation which Was rising
on this side of the A,lsntic Under sach
circumstances Mr. Adams does We'll TO
:gnore The conventional limitations and to
read the history of the United States in
the thunders Of the cannon at Copenhagen.
In the embrace OF the imperial wrestiers at
Friedland and in the tsiumphal march of
Naaolcon's legions to Madrid. 1t lie not
too much 90 say that the Nspolecnic wars
United States to degree second only to
that in which they influenced the course OF
events in France.
The story which Is contained in these
volumes is not, on the whole, one which
can be expected to CRAFTY the vanity OF "a.
American or to strengthen his PRIDE in his
country. The record, so far a. America Is
concerned, is one of insults taniely borne
and outrages unavenged. Both France
and Great Britain heaped upon the Arae-,-
can people outrage after outrage, hamisis-
ton after humiliation American cities
were biockaded. and all vessels passing in
or out Of port were subjected TO search.
American merchant vessels were isrsa unor
almost in the harhcr of New York. and
American seamen on their decks fell VIC
TINS TO British cannon. American war
vessels were attacked within sigh, of the
American coast and driven back into port.
Aii this the American people endured.
More than this, they endured the lofty
arrogance of Napoleon on the one hand and
the keen and studied insults of George Can
ming on the other. During this period
the spirit of American patriotism SUM
hered. No other nation which has borne a
prominent part In history has ever Jailed Ia
resent such insults ~ were heapcd uron
the United States between isn and 1874
that the history OF their country during
this period Is ~ il h.
The publication OF Mr.. Adams volumes,
fuii as they are OF facts hitherto unknown,
cannot but desract from the fame OF
Thomas Jefferson. The warmest admirers
OF that statesman must admit that the
period OF bis presidency uAs the period OF
his eountryNs greatest humiliation. Wed
ded to his fantastic philosophy, he at
tempted 10 apply his false theories to gov
eminent Al time when the hroadess and
most sagaescus ssasesmanship was re-
aHired- An Insult 10 his eoansry. an out
rage r<rpstrxsed upon It's cifsssns, ap-
parensy aroused in him no mere resent
meat than veusa have eeen aroused by the
destruction Of an unused hsrssnest He
believed arr humiliation to he prsferana-
10 var. He allowed Is "a be said TIA,
the United States ooald not be sick~d
into war. He ssaked The honor Of has
ecansry On pasriss shcary al commese;al
retaliation. and vAs compelled. before be