New-York tribune., 1906-06-09
Literary .Nes0s and Criticism.

nis own task or as much of it as he did ac-
complish, before the rise of political parties in
the United States. The rise of party feeling in
America set the limit TO Hamilton's effec-
uveness, but what Mr.. Oliver somehow seems
to overlook is that party feeling found its first
impetus in opposition to Hamilton's methods
and ideals. The new Hamilton whom Mr.
Oliver would evoke for the saving of the British
Empire would be met by well organized party
opposition at the outset.
Hamilton, we have thus seen. stands TO Mr..
oliver an IDEAL and it is ideal rather than
human being that he considers him in the bio
graphical and historical portion of his book. AS
The new Hamilton must be the genius of a new
British Empire, so he regards the original Ham
liton as the genius of the United States All the
other personages with whom he was associated
in the organization and starting of the govern
ment become dwarfed beside him as viewed in
Mr. divers partial perspective Even George
Washington takes a rather colorless hue
alongside of his effulgent military secretary and
Secretary of the Treasury. glows rather,
with pale. reflected light. AS for Jefferson and
Adams and the other men who presumed to diff
fer with Hamilton, the author has little but con-
demnation for them, but great deal of that.
Thus. for example, he up his opinions of
Jefferson:
The irony of events forced or permitted Jefferson
to assume the role of leader of men. Whatever
fn e rue Yet ct hs he put himself to slavery for
long years endured endless notifications. and ac-
wrote Upward e of foPfyeVe thousand letters most
Of Saem long e9es 70 achewe near 6r Wholly
barren. His success was conspicuous; but
down his revilers but his phrases played him
false. No power could translate them into policy
translatable human facts For the greater @ part part
the fancies of poet.
Aaron Burr oddly enough, fares better at
this authors hands, perhaps because in marks
manship at least he proved himself the better
man of the two. The downfall OF Hamilton's
political dominance Mr.. Oliver attributes rather
to the pernicious influence of the French Revo-
luton than to any particular American or group
of Americans 'The fact is" Mr.. Oliver writes
in regard to Burr. "obloquy has attached itself
so tightly" to his name that it is customary
to abuse him for everything he did during his
long and varied career"
Among other things for which he has been at
tackled are the methods he employed during during the he
other methods at the present time. in New York l
him knaye The sin would appear to lie in the
originality and the pagiariss may escape censure
feated Federaiiss mainly because they were new,
clever and successful They & were mo uni
the situation and have continued 10 fit them from
that day to this the charge only be supported
upon the admission that democracy itself Is un-
worthy
Writing of Burr in his private life. the author
describes him sympathetically as a quiet little
gentleman radiating an affectionate atmosphere
that even his wit, his self-command, his ex-
duisite manners cannot chill. AS for the
women and children they followed him as if he
had been the Pied Piper of Hamelin-the former
not always to their own advantage"
Americans can pay their tribute Of admiration
to both Hamilton and Jefferson. and while ap-
proving the hive of which the former was the
chief architect. do from the point of view of
the bee whose interests the latter had at heart
But it is Mr. divers policy to regard the bees
as existing only TO make the perfect hive-the
state first the people afterward 1t is easier to
understand the logic of his attitude than the
perversions Of history by which he seeks to sup
port it.