The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-01-19

lIadisOn's writings.

-. ~
now before US, The Writings OF james
Madison, edited by GAILLARp HUNT (Put-
nams). The editors purpose Is TO set
forth all of Madison's public papers and
private correspondence which are extant'
Including numerous letters and documents
now for the first time printed. Besides
undertaking the task Of collecting ana
classifying a multitude Of papers and pre-
senting them In an ~ungarbled form. Mr..
Hunt has preixed to the first volume an
extremely brief but singularly just sketch
Of the fourth Presidents life. and he has
supplied In the form OF footnotes a mass
OF explanatory comment which represents
an immense amount OF original research.
That this work will prove indispensable
to the student OF American history will
be recognized when we point out that It is
the FIRST exhaustive and accurate edition
Of the writings of a statesman who has
preeminent claims to be regarded as the
Father Of the Constitution. This Is an
assertion that may possibly be received
with surprise in many quarters. There
Is no doubt that a large proportion OF
Madison's papers have been given TO the
world In a more or less authentic
form. Thus in 1887 Congress bought for
$50. COO from Mrs. Madison her husbands
reports of the debates in the Con-
crosses of 1882. 1888 and 1887. his reports
Of tho debates in the Constitutions Con-
vention held at Philadelphia, his account
Of the proceedings of tho Congresses Of
i77o and a limited number of letters ar
ranged by himself. These documents
were edited by Henry d. Gilpin Of Penn
sylvania, then Solicitor of tho Treas
ury. and published at Washington in 1910.
In is4s Congress appropriated $4,000
to purchase all Of Aiadison's remain
ing manuscripts In his widows hands.
In 1855 Congress authorized the print
ing of the papers acquired by the sec
ond purchase. but only a part OF them
appeared in -four volumes published al
Washington in 1865. In 1859 selections from
Madison's private correspondence from
1912 10 1898 were published by Mr.. j. c.
Mcclure in n limited edition printed ex-
clusively for private distribution.
Not one of these editions is satisfactory,
nor, indeed. do all OF them combined pre-
sent even approximately the complete
writings Of Madison. Many papers Of
great importance are not included among
them. and cf those which do appear
many are presented as entire which In
Ital NY " hlNtA Oi4AN III ItAAE ~ NJ
have been subjected in the editing TO a
revisionary process which has impaired
the individuality Of tho writer, and even
at times perverted his meaning Some
of the omissions are deliberate suppressions
Of opinions and facts of the highest his
torical value. Under the circumstances
81 IN evident that a complete n an exact
edition Of Madison's writings is needed II
-. ,wz,,la A-a-.s,. 81. -,r. ..Iszl L..
played in American history. About the
magnitude OF that part there is no dispute.
Aside from his connection with the evo-
luton of State government in his native
Virginia. and aside. also, from his ~associa-
ton with the working Of the Federal Gov
eminent as a member OF Congress. as Secre-
OF State and as President, his claim
20 remembrance rests upon the fact that,
he. moro than any other man, should be
with framing the Constitution
At Philadelphia In 1887. with de-
It before the whole American com
inunity in tie FederdIisf and with securing
the adoption OF that instrument by the
convention OF his native State. Mr.. Hunt
well says that Madison's triumphant adj
vocacy OF the Constitution in the Virginia
marked the elimination Of
that part OF his career which was unques-
tionably the greatest: THE rest was made
Of earnest work and high honors. bu' the
achievements winning for him a great place
IN history were those Of the period before
the government under the Constitution
went into operation II II certain that
with his contemporaries what Madison
said and wrote had greater weight la show
ing the intentions Of the trainers Of the
Constitution and the meaning Of that in
stTument than was attached 10 the views
~ any other man OF his time To this
day the interpreter of the charter Of
our Federal Government must look for
light 20 the same sOuro. His writings.
therefore. ave an actual importance and
. lively Interest for men In our own day
Before glanoing az sons ~ the papers
contained la this fret iustAllmsnt o. Mr.
Hunt's oollestion, it may bs veil 10 recall
IA a few sentences tho principal svents ~
hadison's nfo up 10 hs departure In i7sl
for PihladsiphiA 10 attend tho Federal
Convention ~hioh ~As Ia form tho Con
stituilon Jsinss Madam vas born at
Port Conway In Hang GeofSs county,
Virginia. a. tie hoass az h. maternal
srAhdmoth sT oa March 10. itl a. the
sAins y-sr ho vas removed 10 houtpollsf
IN orange county Shofo lie iaihef ana
lan.sif speni then snufs lives Hos
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