Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-08
Adams on Madison.

The three volumes of the History of tho
Second Administration of James Madison,
by HENRY ADAMS. just issued by CHARLES
ScRIBSER's Sons, covering the second adj
ministration Of Mr.. MADISON, complete the
history of the United States, beginning
with tho first administration of JKFFER-
SON, which has been written by Mr.. ADAMS.
All readers must acknowledge that, how
ever Mr.. ADAMs's great work may be sub
ject to criticism, the ability of the author
cannot be denied.
The author is third in descent from JOHN
ADAMS, of Revolutionary fame. Strange to
say il has been his ambition to write the
lives of the great political opponents of his
ancestors. He has written the life of ALBERT
GALLATIN, of JOHN RANDOLPH of Roanoke,
and of THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MAD
soN while Presidents of the United States.
His task has been difficult one; for to be
true to his theme required disloyalty to
his ancestry. His books have in them,
therefore, much to crticise, but yet they
will be acknowledged as valuable contri-
buttons to the history of the country.
III IUO IITSt NOlulut5 DtlOIC US, III NulCu
the author gives the history Of the war of
1912, we have depicted in strong charac-
ers the weakness of Mr.. MADISON az a war
President. OF him might have been said,
as was said of the Emperor GALBA by the
Roman historian, "onnium consmsti cdpdr
inspirii, nisi tu,perdsset." That war was q
mingled scene of disgrace and of glory.
Our glorious triumphs upon the sea could
not relieve our modification at the seizure
| and destruction of our capital by mere
handful of the enemy.
The enforcement of the weak system Of
defence known as the embargo, caused New
England to plot secession from the Union
in the famous Hartford Convention. Their
patriotism departed with their trade, and
planting themselves upon the ground
taken by Mr.. MADISON in his famous report
to the Virginia Legislature in 1899. they
claimed the right TO Judge OF Federal
acts, to take the remedy for their
fancied wrongs into their own hands,
and to proceed even TO dissolution
Of the Union. With President In the
chair so hampered by his previous utter
ances as to State rights as was Mr.. MADI-
SON, we can well understand that, like
President BUCHANAN in 1860, he would have
felt himself poweriess to resist secession.
Happily for the country the plotting of
New England at Hartford was brought to
naught by the glorious victory of ANDREW
JACKSON at New Orleans on the sth of Jan
uary, 1915. which closed the war, and left
but little settled Of the questions that had
brought it on.
II is curious to notice in tracing the his
tory Of the Administrations of JEFFERSON
and MADISON, how their practice conflict
ed With their theory OF the United States
Constitution. They were the great found
ers OF the school OF strict construction,
yet they found It necessary to strain the
instrument in tho exercise Of the powers
it contained. and sometimes to assume
powers confessedly withheld from the
General Government. Among such of
their acts may be mentioned the pur-
chase Of Louisiana. tho charter OF the
United States Bank. the embargo.
the enforcement laws. the laws tor
the government of Orleans territory,
aud the seizure Of West Florida But not
sithstandipg Mr. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS