New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-21
ATTORNEY GENERAL BREWSTER.

LIFE OF BENJAMIN HARRIS BREWSTER, with Dis
ge nn D. fsmo p So huffds j. B.
Lippincott Company
The life of Benjamin Harris Brewster is especially
interesting that of a man who achieved brilliant
career at the bar IN despite Of physical hndrances
which seemed at first sight to dsqualfy him for his
profession. That he should have chosen that pro
fesson L. moreover indication Of unusual Will power
for man ever more painfully sensitive on the
point of q disagreement which was not born with him
but the effect Of accident In his childhood
His bographer says that the exact facts concerning
this accident published during BreWsters
life because of this extreme constituencies but that
is difficult to believe, for unhappily there were then
as there now newspapers which would not be
deferred from the publication of news" matter
what the pain inflicted upon anyone II the details
Of this accident were not printed, it only be be-
cause they not known. Mr.. Savidge gives them
now, and the case proves to be simple and easily
paralleed one. The little boy, then five years old,
was one day neglected By his nurse made his into
the dnlngIoom, where there was open crate fire,
and began to play with the fire. Presently his little
apron, with which he was tanning the flames caught
fire. In trying to get it of he entangled his head In
1t and the servants who alarmed by the chds
cries either tainted or ran away when they what
WAS happening, the little fellow would have been
burned to death but for the GOODNESS Of his mother who
wrapped rug about him and extinguished the
flames He was terribly burned about the face. and
his comellness was gone forever.
Brewster began his political career, after being
called to the bar, Jackson Democrat and pro-
slavery His attitude the slavery Issue. In
deed, must appear to open minds as having at this
time been strangely He stood upon the letter
of the law. Slavery right because 1t con-
stitutlonal No thought Of its ethical bearing seems
to have occurred to him. So satisfied he with It's
constitutional backing that he sought opportunities
TO testify his convictions by taking Of fugitive
slaves and contendlng their return TO slavery One
such case, the celebrated Dangerfeld case. made
great noise for Philadelphia, Brewsters home, was the
focus Of antsavery agitation, the chief terminus OF
the underground railway, the abiding place of the most
active takers and workers against slavery
and al these mustered in defence Of
the threatened negro. This case, in which he
was beaten, seems to have been the elimination Of
young Brewsters proslavcry sentiment and thereafter
he seen slowly but steadily declining from his carly
and crude position the subject and by degrees de-
veloplng saner and sounder view OF the question For
he a man who grew, and who permitted him
self 10 be permanently bound by opinions lower than the
highest obtanale. About this time lie friend Of
Buchanan, and he also became intimate with Simon Cam
eron whose friendship he retained TO the last
In polltics-Democratic poitics, at least-he was
successful. Every Office he desired was denied him.
He was beaten By Dallas for United States District
Attorney under Polk through purely personal quarrel
When personal enemies did not defeat him, he put
aside for other candidates thought more popular or
more accommodating.
For Brewster man OF older fashion than his
contemporaries. lie was an arst0crat, proud of his
birth and tender Of his honor. He would mako Dc
dubious concessions or compromises for the sake OF
Office. He could not bargain. In short, he too
hghsouled man 10 engage with any In the
politics OF his day. and had it not been natural to him
10 put faith in the integrity and sincerity OF his fellow
politicians he probably would have perceived how ill
adapted he a political career long before that
tf1tfh h0p in him t,ah
grew meanwhile. lie was brilliant and fOrcblc
speaker, profound lawyer and thoroughly versed in
literature, both classical and modern. Add to this an
astonshngy retenve memory and 1t will be seen that
his equipment for his work remarkably complete
When the Rebellion came, he did not hesitate. The
preservation Of the Union for him the one thing
to be looked rs. and in becoming Unionist he became
also Abolitlonist Slavery must 60 down under the
burden Of treason lie instantly perceived and what Is
as much 10 his credit he also that II ought 10 20
down moral grounds Mr.. Brewster during the years
that followed attained to national reputation but he
continued 10 desire public Office, men are apt TO do
when once they have entered into politics. But his
character and temperament continued to obstrct his
path and not until Governor Geary rendered him the
Attorney Generalshp Of Pennsylvania did he obtain all
opportunity TO show what he could do
lie flied this position ably and to the admiration OF
all competent judges but his work in the Cabinets OF
Garfield and Arthur must always be considered the most
important period In his public career. The star-rouc
constituted the most startling since The war
They In fact The ouva ard Ems Of duel &c II death
between organized thevery and honest admin stfntlon
Of the Government Men high in Office had turned
Of officials in tho Postal Department had iugaed tbe