New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-14
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
A woRKMANLIKE HISTORY.
THE AMERICAN REvokUToN. By John n Fisk s6
Houghton, Mifnin q Co.

THE AMERICAN REvokUTIoN. By John Fisk s6s
n two volgmss i2mo, PIP. xxi-S44' xh-Soo'
Mr.. Fiske explains in his preface to these vol
umes that they represent part Of a larger work
which may not be completed. His idea in the
first instance was to do for American what D. n
Green has done for English history He thoueno
that history from 495 to 1855 might be wriueen
in about four volumes Much Of the present WORK
was delivered as lectures, though not prepared
with that end In view. II is of cou1Se lS.s'',
a compact and general narrative Than oe'aa'eu
history. The author has, as he himself poin@ ou"
not attempted to include all the events OF the heVo
luton. His aim has been In Writing the s'ofy OF
this period NOT 90 much to contribute new facts
as 10 shape the narrative In suoh q way as 70 en-
phasizs relations of cause and effect that are o1oeh
buried in the mass of details" This design, III
NAV be frankly admitted, Mr. Fiske has succeeoeo
in carrying out Nothing could be more lucio 'nsh
his manner of telling the story, and due emphasis
In put upon the significant facts Several points
which other and ADLER historians have insunciehoy
recognized are here given the weight they deserve.
In most Of the old histories the truth was ooscured
by mistaken feeling Of patriotism, which Ignores,
or belttled all that was in any way discreui'aoie
to the men of the Revolution. Happily history
is no longer written in that way. The truth, une
guiding principle Of the scientific historian. ana
Mr.. Fiske holds fast to this method from begin
ming to end
Under the new methods the Revolution loses
nothing of interest importance but 1t becomes
very much more human affair. In examining the
period we are no longer confronted by nauon
of heroes led by a demi-god. We encounter
abundance of error and fraty, no little vice. cor
ruption, malice. treachery and incompetence;
patriotism often so weak as to appear almost
moribund; a self-interest often rising above love
Of country. But though the new historical meth
DDS are notwithstanding, the benefits they confer
are inestimable. For they enable us to realize
Just how the Revolution wrought. how the
spirit of it was maintained the nature and extent
of the difficulties against which IL was urged for
ward the relative merit and demerit Of the proml-
nent men engaged in it, and the actual cause OF
each fresh turn in events. Under the inquest OF
the past some long-held regulations fade and
wither; some shine out even more UsplendentF
than before some. consigned 10 obloquy, are at
least lifted from the lowest depths by the bring
ing forward Of extenuoting circumstances in their
behalf The fact Of all Others most to be reloiced
over, however, is the uDdiminished brilhancy Win
which the character and cause of George Wash
ington emerge from the fercest and most exhaust
i've scrutiny. OF him, even more truly perhaps
U
"whatever record leaps to light,
He never shall be shamed."
Nay, more; the closer he is studied the greater
and nobler does he appear, so that the American
of the close of the nineteenth century may and
should feel prouder of this great patriot, soldier
and statesman than his warmest admirers in his
own day could do We can say to-day with de-
liberation and full knowledge of what he was ard
did thst the history of no revolutionary leader or
secular leader of any kind compares with = t OF
Washington in stcadfast devotion TO great cause.
unalterable patience and endurance, command OF
temper, absolute purity of conduct and unfailing
soundncss of judgment. And we know and see
now better than was possible fifty years ago how
greatly Washington was the Revolution, how In
dispensable to the achievement of American indie
pendence. Without him success could hardly
have been won. In military point of view there
was perhaps one captain who might have taken
his place. namely General Greene. Even this
is but conjecture for though Greene showed great
ability he never was tried Washington was.
The difference between a good corps commander
and good commander-in-chief is very great.
Greene was the first. undoubtedly, but he might
not have proved equal to the second position. But
the military side of the Revolution was only one
the political side demanded in the head Of the
Army quite other qualities and capacities Read
w
and see how constantly he was engaged in the
struggle against political perversities and inca
pacites. The truth is that Congress was the
most discreditable feature of the Revolution and
it may well be surmised that il would have par
alyzed the arm of any other man than Washing
ton. In one particular, this body Of meddlerf
and muddlers unhapply reflected not unfaithfuly
o prejudice of the country and the period. Its
most disgraceful record is that wherein the treat
ment of the Army is concerned; and here 1t was, al
least indirectly supported by the popular feeling
against anything in the shape Of a standing army
Paradoxical as the fact may be- 1t is certain that
Congress treated the Army as though it were q
necessary evil. AS for its claims upon the coun-
try. they were never recognized save through com
pulson, and then in the shabbiest and meanes'
manner II was not enough to withhold from the
patriots in the field food, clothing, munitions and
pay. Congress could not be brought to entertain
the question Of pensions in proper spirit Tories
and Hessians could hardly have been dealt with
from more hostile point Of view, in fact and il
is no wonder that the spirit Of mutiny found it.
way into this much-abused and long-sufferinG
organization. To make the situation worse an(
more ignominious, corruption not wanting
The Army contract scandals which so reused pub
lie indignation at the North during the War o.
the Rebellion only enlarged upon the examples
set during the War of Independence. Politica
Adventures grew fat while the soldiers starved
froze at Valley Forge. The revenues of the State
officers who could not deal with the commissariat
officers who could not deal with the commssaria
All the abuses of political generalship were in
fourshing condition. And TO cap the climax o
inquity cabals existed in the Army ITSELF aimed a
Washington.
In these volumes Mr.. Fske has brought on
with special prominence the concern in one sucl
cabal OF a man who. for long time American
delighted 10 honor--General Gates, the so-calle
"hero Of Saratoga" The time has come whe1
that ill-earned reputation has TO fall and the MAJ
appears as he really was, pOmpous pretentious
evilmnded treacherous impostor wretche
parasite, fattening upon the exploits Of other me
and stealing their good name creature so httl