The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-09

or national evolution tnat the plans OF
statesmen, the strife of parties and the
deeds of heroes in war no longer occupy
| the dominant place in works on history
| that they did in former times. New
ertheless they continue to be the
events which are chiefly interesting to
men. Humanity delights to believe that
| man is master of his fate, and that the des-
| TIMES OF nations are made by great men.
Moreover, there is a personal interest in
| the struggles of leaders that is lacking in
the narrative of the development of the
| people at large, and as a consequence those
histories which tell US most of great
leaders are ever the most popular.
a good example of history exemplltied
In the actions of statesmen is furnished by
newly published work, 1.-The American
Congress, History of National Legisla
ton and Political Events from IVA to
1895, by Joseph West Moore. The work is
not so comprehensive as the title. 1t is
not so much a history of National legisla-
| ton as record of the principal political
acts OF the American people; summary
of the debates Oh them in Congress, with
brief biographical sketches of the leading
Senators and Representatives, and extracts
from some of the more notable orationS.
Even this forms a theme great enough for
notable work, and it has been handled
by Mr.. Moore with a literary skill and
judgment of selection that render it an
interesting anu Important 10
our political literature.
One of the merits of the book is the per-
feet lmpartlality with which the author
records the arguments of both sides on all
the great questions which form the con-
splcuous features of our Congressional
history. This impartiality does not in any
way weaken the force and vigor of his
conclusions. 1t serves admirably to make
his book source of information concern
ing the debates on the adoption of the
constitution, the enactment of the various
tariffs, the United States Bank, Nullifica-
ton, Slavery and other large National
questions, but does not betray the author
into leaving the reader in any doubt as to
which side had the weight of argument
and the best destiny of the American peo-
pie with it.
Among the interesting features of the
work are the extracts from great orations,
which serve to convey to the reader
in the language of the leaders them
selves, the arguments by which each sus-
tanned his cause. These extracts are
numerous and illustrate not only the elo-
quence of Congress, but also good deaIof
Its wit and repartee. The biographical
sketches OF the principal members of each
Congress are in some instances expanded
to considerable length and afford fairly
good idea of the character and the life of
the individual, but as general rule they
arc llO uOIG -Iudn pTieI. RECORDS or the
birth and important events in his career
The most interesting of these personal
sketches are those of John Randolph and
Dayy Crockett the two men of our early
history, who, by their wit, their original
lty, personal force and distinctive Ameri-
canlsm, have perhaps more powerfully i'm
pressed the popular mind than any of their
contemporaries, except Andrew jackson.
VI these two men several anecdotes are
told, and, while none of them are new,
they are sufficiently good to be always en-
PERTAINING, and serve eXcellently therefore
to Tighten the long record of Congressional
debates with something of humor and per-
sonal interest.
As rule the work throws no new light
upon any event OF our history. but to this
rule there is one notable exception This
relates to the purchase OF Alaska, which
Mr.. Moore says is believed to have been
done not to obtain more territory, but for
the purpose OF paying a war debt to Russia,
contracted by President Lincoln and Sec
rotary Seward. At one time during the
latter part OF the war, England and France
were thought to have decided to make an
attempt to break the blockade of the
Southern ports. At this iuncture Russia
came to our assistance at the earnest re-
quest OF the Department of State. One day
splendid fleet of Russian war vessels
sailed into the harbor at New York and
III oChCldI NSChS. IL WAS d
notice that Russia would assist the United
States if any attempt were made to break
the blockade, and as a consequence Eng
land and France abandoned their scheme.
Later on the question Of compensation to
Russia came up and it was feared Con-
gress would resist the payment of the large
sum needed on the ground that the debt
was unwisely incurred. 1t was then sug-
gested by the Russian War Office that the
purchase of Alaska for a round sum would
be considered payment of the obligation
and accordingly that plan was adopted
and carried out. Mr.. Moore does not give
his authority for these statements, but
rests the whole on the somewhat unsatis-
factory expression, sit is believed"
The American Congress, Joseph West
Moore. Harper 81 Brothers, New York.
For sale by Payot, Upham & Co., San
Francisco.