The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-27
SOME NEW hooks.
Andrew jackson.

There havo been many biographies OF tho
hero OF New Orleans. among which those
writton by Mr. james Parton and by Prof Sum
ner are the best known. Wo do not hesitate to
predict however,. thnt the biography Of An
dre,o Jackson, which IL destined to 1.-Two longest
and to obtain tho hcarticst Appreciation is
that which has just been published by Mr.. OIL
YER DYER, tho author Of Great Senator'S" In
spirit and substance this bool; Is worthy OF
tho man whom 1t depicts. IT is tho only lifc Of
Jackson which enables postority to seize tho
viewpoint and completely reproduce tho feel
ings OF his contemporaries tho only ono writ
ten with such penetrating insight, with
such vibrant sympathy and such in
fectious enthusiasm a. permits us to appreciate
the tremendous impact OF his personality. AS
regards this capital merit of tho book. itcannot
but remind tho reader Of Carlylo's Life Of
Cromwell" There IL. indeed. in the energy and
ardor OF tho wr tiers dicton something that
recalls Carlyle. as there wcre certainly not q
few strong points OF likeness between Jackson
and the rugged. masterful. infcxiblo protec-
tor. Thcrs was. however. in the life long lover
OF Rachel Donelson. more intimate and win
ming conjunction Of virility and tenderness. Of
mans indomitable purpose with IA feminine
softness OF heart Even upon minds somewhat
prejudiced. tho effect OF this book will be to
make thom regard Andrew jackson Mt once
with reverence aud with affection. the Same
unwonted mixture OF sentiments which in his
lifetime fastened to him his friends and fol-
lowers with links Of steel
The time has gone by when any considerable
number even of highly educated Americans
could share the strange visual obli1uity which
led tho New England Federallsts and their de-
scendants for ut least a generation. to SEQ in
Con. Jackson only u rude backwoodsman,
whose military abilities and achievements had
been exaggerated. and who. by nature and
training. was incapable OF craftsmanship. and
grotes1ucly untitled for tho functions OF au-
gust and exacting civil Office. The assump-
tons on which this once widely current mis-
conception was based should logically have
led the Federalists to dospise Cromwell. to
sneer at franklin. and to disparage Washing
ton himself. Not one Of those had in his youth
enjoyed tho educational advantages which tho
Brahmin caste OF Now England affected to
think Indispensable II a college degree wero
tho solo passport to political eminence. all
three Of them must have been barred out AS
a matter OF fact. Jacksons principal rival. John
Quincy Adams-who by a curious coincidence.
which Mr.. Dyer points out. was born in the
same year. 1767-had from the outset all tho
social and educational privileges which were
denied to the barefooted child OF poor Scotch
Irish emigrant to the North Carolina wilder
moss. Yet to say nothing Of his respondent
military exploits. Jackson never met Adams
in the field OF civil rivalry that he did not beat
him overwhelmingly. 80 far as the voice OF the
people was concerned. and to this hour his
name Is potent one to conjure with. name
still living on the lips Of men. while the name
OF Adams is remembered by the historian
alone. HJackson DO the typical American. it is
by virtue Of the very obscurity OF his begin
ninss and By the inspiring proof afforded in
his extraordinary career. that obstacles. hard
ships. and privations are not by any means
the worse things that can bafall a child Of des-
tiny. Recounting the apparently depressing
and cramping surroundings OF Jackson's in
fancy. Mr.. Dyer does well to quote tho Apostle
lines:
Cast the bantling on tho rocks;
sucklo him with tho she-wolrs test,
Wintsred with tho hawk and fox.
Power and speed DO hands and feet