The times., 1899-04-09
a POLITICAL History.

history OF the Civil War. The title really
ought TO be The Times OF Edwin NJ Stan
ton, since there is much less of Mr.. STAN
ton than Of the period in which he rose TO
eminence. The book contains two portraits
of the War Secretary. and several maps
with numerous facsimiles OF important let
tiers from Grant, Sherman and others.
There is a brief sketch of his early life and
private career, but by far the greater part
OF the book is occupied with explanations
and records of public matters in which he
was concerned. The book is not a biogra-
ply in the sense of presenting a portrait
OF the man as he was; there is almost moth
Ing OF the personal in it. A stronger con-
irast to the Life OF Hamlin,'' reviewed in
these columns week ago, could hardly be
found This book is book of records, and
arguments, and letters, and statements:
not OF the personality of a man. II will
therefore have its place in the libraries of
those who are collecting histories and BIZ
ographies having to do with the develop
ment OF our country, but will not have an
intense interest for the general public.
The author naturally takes Secretary
Stanton's side in all differences of opinion,
and as everyone knows who has any knowl-
edge whatever of the inner history of the
Civil War that was period Of numerous
political and military quarrels of all de-
grees OF Importance. One of the things
which is brought out with particular clear
ness in this book is the extent and i'm
portance of the work OF the Northern sym
pathizers with the South. called by some
"Copperheads. The relations of this
party TO the Administrations of Lincoln
and Johnson are described at length, and
considerable space is given TO their mach
s..n~ 81 l,..1 a,
Ing and after the war II is just possible
that Mr.. Gorham makes this subject ap-
pear more important than 1t is. but if one
would form an impartial judgment of The
condition of things during the sixties it
Is important TO have records from all
political parties and sections OF parties.
Without unlimited information, ii is
difficult TO know just how far this historian
pursues a path OF strict impartiality, and
whether he allows himself TO be seriously
influenced by his own personal predilec-
tions. To most readers il will seem that
here and there his partiality for Stanton
causes him 10 indulge in unduly severe re-
Elections on the conduct of those opposed to
the War Secretary The first important
instance of this occurs when General Nc
Clellan first becomes prominent in the his
tory. A part of the letters and statements
here introduced seem to be in direct refu
tation of the story told by Mcclellan him
self in his book published years after the
war. Mr.. Gorham makes the assertion that
Mcclellan wrote many letters during his
campaign purely for political effect. having
his eye on the Presidency. He claims that
Mcclellan ''boasted OF having insulted
President Lincoln" slandered Stanton in
most unmerciful fashion, failed in most of
his military operations. was guilty Of
double dealing when asking for support in
his campaigns, disregarded orders in a
most shameful fashion. and. In short, be-
haved himself generally in a way most
unbecoming to an officer and a gentleman.
Mr.. Gorham says that under all McClel-
lan's accusations Stanton remained silent
FOR the sake OF the country" The exact
Justice OF all this cannot be determined
without some more definite and reliable in
formation than the ordinary reader will
possess.
Another lively arraignment occurs in the
chapters dealing with President johnson,
who is represented in most unenyiable
light
Much space is given to the reconstruction
period, and the difficulties which swarmed
about the Federal Government are de-
scribed in detail. 1t does not appear from
this record that the Administration at
Washington was thoroughly aware of the
condition OF society and feeling existing
In the Southern States Immediately after
the war. To some extent il was the vic
tim OF misrepresentation. as the Northern
people at large most certainly were At
the same time. the problem of determin-
Ing the exact status of the freedman was a
knotty one in any light. and IT is doubtful
II the greatest statesman who ever lived
could have solved it in a very satisfactory
way.
Here were 1000 GOO OF ignorant people.
Obliged TO live. for many years at least,
among people Of different race who were
convinced that emancipation never should
have taken place. and many Of whom had
been brought up In the dread OF a-possible
repetition of the scenes of San Domingo
in their own homes This subject race
had been suddenly emaneipated by force.
during war which had Impoverished the
ruling class and not only exhausted their
resources but decimated their voting popu-
laiion.
Thus, IL insurrection had been feared in
the old days they would now fear & ten
times more. That is the way in which
many Northerners looked at the matter.
and 1t seemed TO them exceedingly unsafe
10 give the task of ruling the former slave
into the hands of the former master The
BLACK Codes" re-enactment in Missis-
fippi. and the laws which some of the
Southern States passed for the control
OF the negro population, were duly report
ed, and did not tend TO strengthen the
faith OF the North in the South's good
feeling They saw in the Southern white
man the Southern negro's bitter enemy.
and directed their efforts not toward Gre
ating friendliness between the two races.
for that they believed impossible: but
toward giving the negro weapons and let
ting the two fight IL out on as nearly equal
terms as might be-. At any rate, that is
the impression which one gets in perus-
ing some OF the letters reproduced in this
book. II seems an idiotic policy now. but
IL is easy to see how such views obtained
then But system which has been grow
ing up in two hundred and fifty years ia
vored during four-ffths OF that time by
the public opinion Of all civilized countries,
the condition OF commerce, the teachings
OF the church. and the climate and social
traditions of the country in which IL ex-
lists. cannot be torn up In four years, or
even in one generation; and to a certain
extent the reformation in thought and feel
ing which viii make it possible for the
negro to obtain his civil rights will have
10 follow the path OF existing social con-
ditions.
How long it will take to uproot the id
engendered by human slavery from the
minds Of men il is impossible 10 for5tell.
That they VIII some day be rooted up, and
that in reality. as in theory. all men wi
be created free and equal, there can be no
doubt; for the whole progress of the world.
by action and reaction. has been in that
direction. This book. half biography, ha
history. records more or less accurately
some of the steps which were taken to-
ward that end in the stormy decade OF the
Civil War: but all the details of that
struggle wiiiS0ever be thoroughly known.
There wa stoo much prejudice and excite
ment and too much inclination TO adopt.
the means IN Tho erd IN rrpdt,.a %,