The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-20
so1B NEW BooKa

soMB NEW BooKa
A Me- lar, crThe-ss Jefsrpsn.
Ware indebted TO Mr.. JAMES scHouLEH. the
velI-tnoyn author OF the "History OF the
IJnit.d states Under the Constitution" for Q
brjef Int valuable study OF the services and
,haraoter OF Thomas Jefferson (Dodd. Mead
COL In preparing this sketch. the author has
relied partly on the materials collected In his
own History, partly on Randalrs comprehen-
awe biography. and partly on Jenerson's pub
Iished writings. It cannot be said that any
new facts are here presented. but they are
brought together In o n effective way. and some
times from new point OF view. Although Mr..
schouler's admiration for his subject cannot
n. cnlIsd understanding. he heartily adopts
ths Jeffersonian conception OF American
Institutions. and. therefore. his estimate may
scom to need qualification to those whose
ev,npsthies are enlisted on the Federalist side.
Op,y n very small part however. OF the book
before us 10 devoted to Jefferson considered
NJ a party leader: more than half OF the vol
ume 10 allotted to an account OF that part OF his
life which preceded the mission to Franco.
That but one short chapter Is assigned to his
career in the Presidency need not be regretted
In view Of tho recent extended treatment OF
Interesting part OF tho book 10 that which
deale with the eleven years Intervening be-
tween Jefferson's return from France and his
frat election to tho Presidency. 1t 10 tho au-
thor's comments on this period OF Jeferson's
life to which We shall cohnne ourselves in the
present notice.
Jefferson did not reach New York on his re-
turn from Paris until March II. 1890 full
year after the establishment OF WashnRton's
FIRST Administration. In which he was to I'LL the
ofiice OF Secretary OF State. What views
had the author Of the Declaration OF 1nde-
pendence formed OF the new and more per-
feet Union which had been projected and
set in operation while he remained abroad2
Jefferson had sailed from America In 1884 i'm
pressed with the idea that few sim pie amend
ments might supply the old Confederacy with
the vigor needed to maintain it. He was not
one Of those who believed that America was
lapsing into anarchy. Not even the Shays in
surrection in Massachusetts, disturbed his
eauanimity: for. applying the arithmctical
argument to which he was addicted. he pointed
out that an instruction in one OF thirteen
States in the course Of eleven years OF union
would amount to but one In any particular
State for nearly a century and n half
Der OF Instructions than had occurred under
any other Government upon which tho sun
ever shone. Moreover. he did not wish such
tumults punished severely. He deemed the
enlightenment Of public opinion more import
ant than rigorous enforcement OF law. On this
point he made a characteristic remark which
10 quoted in the book before US: The basis OF
our Government being the opinion OF the
masses OF the people.the very Hrst object should
be to keep that right: and. were it loft to me
to decide whether we should have Gov
eminent without newspapers or newspapers
without Government. should not hesitate
q nom ent to prefer the latter; but l should
mean that every man should receive those
papers and be capable OF reading them"
Madison had kept his distant friend informed
OF the movement for an improved Constitu
ton at every successive stage: and. after the
doors OF the secret convention Of 1877 had
swung open at Philadelphia. revealing the
plan OF u new composite Government under
new Constitution he sent to Jefferson copy
OF the document. JeiTcrson's first impressions
were about as much favorable as unfavorable:
he was. however. SO disappointed at finding
that neither bill OF rights nor rotation in the
Presidential chair had been provided for. that
he declared himself nearly neutral" He
would have fixed the tenure OF the Executive
office Mt seven years. and would have made
the President ineligible to second term. On
the other hand ho liked the idea OF a central
Government. which could be carried on with
out recurrence to tho States for financial sup
port: no approved also. OF the separation Of
the Executive and tho judiciary from the
Legislature ard Of a Congress composed OF
two Houses. In the end he aided the ndop-
ton OF the instrument In his native State.
whore many Of his political friends like
Patrick Henry. showed themselves stub
born and irreconcilable. but he insisted
that the acceptance OF the Constitution should
be coupled with the proposal OF now amend
ments. by way OF appeal to the public honor
after the example he had admired in Massa-
chusetts. When he arrived in New York in
1890 to discharge the functions OF Secretary OF
State. the constitutional amendments which
he had most desred-all excepting the provi-
sion for one long term OF Presidential tenure
had boon duly proposed by Congress to the
States, and were in course OF adoption. He had
been pleased while still abroad to see q simple
title conferred by Congress upon Americas
Chief Magistrate-we know from Maclay's
journal OF the secret debates in the Senate
with how much difficulty this was brought
about-and he entertained a too sanguine
hope that such applications as Excellency.
Worship. Esquire. and even Mr.. would soon
disappear from among us.
Jefferson had left France afame with the full
fcrvor Of natural rights and jealous for the
worlds reformation. and he was amazed and
mortified at the preferences he heard expressed
by Federalist leaders In Now York for British
and hereditary Government. An apostate l
could not be-" he writes OF such discussi
NOR yet a hypocrite: and found myself for
the most part the only advocate on the Repub-
lican side OF the question. unless among the
guests there CHANGED to be some member OF
that party from the legislative Houses" Even
his friend John Adams he found losing the re-
sentiment against British forms which the two
had cherished In common when dane.
ing vain attendance In Downing street.
Surge the British Constitution OF it's cor.
Huptlon." once observed Vice President
Adams In the freedom OF a dinner party. and
give to It's popular branch equality OF repre-
sentation. and 1t would be tho most perfect
Constitution ever devised by he wit OF man."
To which Hamilton replied after a pause
Purge it OF its corruption and give to its
popular branch equality OF representation. and
IL would become an imprActicable Govern