New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-09-05
Literary NesOs and Criticism.

with country neighbor upon a proposed re-
movai to New York. he is interested in the
founding of the Charity Organization Society he
is among the largest contributors to the testi-
monial to General Grant at the close of the war.
he is an adrnirer of fine horses and in buying a
team states the requisite qualifications at some
length. which he has right to do. as he is pay
ing over $4,000 for the pair: he sends to p
friend case of Steinberger Cabinet 1868 which
is pronounced by discriminating connoisseur
zone Of the very Modest products of nature
he purchases Greystone for $3.50, 600. and spends
nearly twice SIS much more in additions. fur
niture. plumbing and what he quizzically calls
Improvement t2D" Presidents and high Of
fcials and sspirants for office were wont TO
consult him and bid for his influence He did
not despise the power of patronage, and gave
much thought TO the weighing OF claims to pub
lie preferment. He doubtless Influenced the Sc
lection Of multitude of judicial and executive
officers
Mr.. Tilden's methodical care of documents
made his collection an object of solicitude to
students Mr.. Charles A Dana recognized its
value when he sought TO borrow it with an end
IN view which does not seem to have been car
ried out My ultimate purpose" he observes.
us to put myself In a situation 70 write the po-
htical history OF this half century between 1859
and 1856. 1t seems TO me that in our day there
have been three statesmen who have had the
genius to rule men through their intellect. |
mean Bismarck. DisraeH and Tilden If there iss
any truth IN this statement it is the more re-
markable that Tilden's influence should have
been exerted almost entirely without the adj
vantage of official station To his habit Of pre-
serving correspondence, which has laid an in
credible burden upon his executor we are in
debted for countless interesting sidellghtS. one
may be deeply grateful for this thoroughly char
acteristic and altogether delightful utterance of
Mr.. Henry Adams. the historian, and find some
thing cheerfully incongruous in his addressing
such judgments upon Jefferson and his col
leagues to their lineal descendant and successor.
To do 5ustfce to Cailatin writes MT. AdamsJ was
a labor Of love After long study of the prominent
fgares of history. am more than ever con-
WINGED that for combination of ability. integrity,
KNOWLEDGE unselfshness and social fitness Mr.. Gal
latin has no equal. He was the most fully and
men, take hold of them, are soft in some spots
5nT hand or seemed diminished That he made
mistakes can see. but even in his plumbers he
I cannot say as much for his friends Jefferson.
Madison and Monroe, about whom have been for
sessantIy forced to devise excuses and apologies
Or 1T, to admit that no excuse will avail am at
their history. for they appear like mere grasshop-
the Mississippi River. There is no possibility Of
their theories with their acts their
we're carried along on stream which fioated them.
after fashion without much regard to themselves
This take to be the result that students of his
.ory generally reach in regard to modern times.
The element OF individuality is the free viii dogma
ZION is that history Is simply social development
along the lines Of weakest resistance and that in
most cases the line of weakest resistance is found
Is unconsciously by society as by water.
TiIden's life spent IN political battle at
lime when bitterness of personality ran high
He a man to make himself admired and
cared. rather than loved. He bore himself In
he most trying ordeal with dignity and modera-
ion. The New York Public Library is per
oetual monument Of his philanthropy. The pres
mt volumes will 90 far to establish with future
generations his repute for probity and wisdom
md public spirit