New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-12

religious aspect Of the American dispute. which
awake the apprehension that this Illuminating
and altogether delightful work is not 10 be con-
rnued- We should welcome many more such
volumes. Yet without them the history is COM
plete for one who is not studying campaigns for
their own sake, and the author makes no pre-
tence Of being q scientific military historian.
Trenton marked the turning point in the Revo-
luton. The series Of disasters which began on
Long Island seemed 10 presage the utter and
speedy ruin Of the colonies. The grim deterTni-
nation and the military capacity revealed by the
recovery Of New-Jersey illuminated Europe and
gave America a self-conhdence which did not
desert it in hours Of subsequent reverse. It did
not need Saratoga or Yorktown to teach men
with insight the Inevitable outcome Of the strug-
gle. Shortly after Trenton Frederick the Great
wrote that all the information he had received
went 10 show that the colonies would attain and
keep their independence Keen English observ-
outside the ministerial circle, no matter what
was their attitude toward the war. were from
that time pretty wei convinced that the
struggle only a question how long the
King would persist in his policy and at what
point on the road 10 ruin the nation would no
longer endure il.
The Revolution was essentially King George
war He forced Il and he carried it on with
He knew what the war meant; he counted fully
its cost; and. for the accomplishment OF his pur-
pose. II IL was 70 be accomplished, he was IN
conprOmisingly right in his wrongheadedness.
Given an unjust and impossible war, wsged
under incompetent. ministers by a reluctant ma
ton. and the wonder is al the persistence and
personal power which the King displayed. He
did not rush into the struggle caTelessly and
oontenptuously like Sandwich, or half heartedly
lrs~,ur
Of The Americans as towards and predicting an
easy victory, he was planning long and arduous
campaigns with the industry and capacity for
military detail which distinguished that most
Tlrtuous OF sove-eig1s IN all personal relations
The wes his fight 10 strengthen the royal
prerogatiye. The ministers became his errand
boys. and whatever was the outcome, he recog-
nlzed il as his victory or his defeat So the
b-it-sh nation recognized It. So the Americans
recognized T. and il with true instinct that
Congress edited out OF Jefersons manuscript all
reproach against the English people and made
TIE Declaration OF Independence solely an in
eictment OF King George.
The war began with the British army and
navy utterly unprepared. owing 10 the neglect Of
minister's. 10 enthusiasm was manifested
aiaong the PEOPLE who had rushed TO I'll the
i@hEs for Chatham against the French TO take
service against their fellow subjects. The press
sang vas resorted 10 with uncommon disregard
- private rights 20 man the ships and Lord
1-Shsled cimmed his judicial fame by decisions
sustaining the King IN his kidnapping. To fiji
-Ne ranks Of his army. George III turned 10 the
1t-hsn princes whose needs or whose avarlce
- lAein 10 practise the elsewhere discredited
H-1e OF equIpping mercenaries 70 sell No one
al o. the Kings did so much 10 defeat his own
~--Dlllon He desperately needed the troops. but
ne needed the support Of England and the sym
p3iAy OF Europe stlu more. And If he were 20
0'hg America into subsection he must have
sumo basis Of affection in his disciplined sub
Jects
94i George Treyeyan paints a vivid picture OF
isr different ltcome. Frederick the Great de-
e4lHeo TO let the German princes send their hire
Ahgs through his territories and induced the
Empress Catherine 10 withhold the loan Of Rus
san troops English statesmen like Richmond,
HhelDorne, Camden nd Sir John Cayendish. as
wei as the trebrands Of opposition, Burke and
FOX denounced Tie German treaties not only as
tlanleful but as economically foolish. AS for
Anerica- the prospect Of the inoursion of what