The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-12

idealist OF his day, advocating programs in adj
vance of contemporary thought: but more prac-
teal than they using political machinery to Sc
cure what could be secured, and hopeful or
final success In the more democratic future.
In this spirit he fought the battle Of the peo-
pie against the interests in State legislature
and in Federal government. Down to the last
he commended against slavery and for a more
equitable form OF government In the Ola DO
minion; but his people would not heed, and
the Democracy which Jefferson foreshadowed
in his famous declaration" did not come into
being for many a year In his State or in the
country. For under Calhoun. who, though in
sisttng that he was q follower of the first Re
publican President, yet made slavery the basis
Of his system. the stone rejected OF the build
ers' became the head OF the corner. lie taught
the South that property in negro slaves was
more sacred than the rights and ideas so elo-
quentiy defended By his own great teacher. JEFF
ferson. He died, the greatest reactionary of
his time. But Professor Dodd Is an admirer OF
Calhoun. for, unlike the partisan, he can see
the good in men with whose ideas he respect
fully disagrees. Calhoun. he says, was 'ten-
He was probably the cleanest man in public
life" He was the abest war secretary the
government had till jefferson Davis came to
the same office in 1853" And even VIXEN de-
tending notification or slavery he was "a ma
tionalist at heart to the day of his DEATH and
not as often viewed AN arch-conspirator.'' His
memory is worshiped." says his admiring, though
discerning. critic, by tens of thousands; even
the poor negroes sing his praises and tell sto-
rtes of his unmatched greatness
The treatment of Davis is similar to that of
Calhoun. BY Davis time the Democratic party
had been transformed from a party of small
farmers, back-countrymen, idealists, to a party
dominated by the interests of the day of hui
man slavery. Conservative revolt had come
and Davis was its most prominent leader. But
for the character, ability and craftsmanship OF
the Confederate President Professor Dodd has
words only of praise. Though never a well
man. and at times a physical wreck, the great
Mississippians spirit was still equal to any
storm" His administration of the War Depart
ment Of the United States Government was pc
cuiarly able and satisfactory to all groups OF
opinion In the country. He served lis coun-
try-with whole-hearted enthusiasm though it
must be said ne never lost sight of the interests
OF the South" Although a secessionist In 1850.
Davis changed his attitude in later years and
declared in 1858 that the radicals of tie East
and the extremists of the South were TO the
great nationalist masses as flies upon the horns
OF the OK" In 1850 he wrote and worked against
Confsderacy exhausted every resource to bring
about a peaceful settlement and even attempted
a reconstruction Of the Union" 1t was not
, due to him that Sumter was fred on. but, on
the testimony of Roger A. Pryor. to four sub
o~rdinates Of Beauregard. Professor Dodd agrees
with Davis that the United States was not a
nation, but a league OF States, and that under
the Constitution Congress was compelled to
protect slavery wherever 1t might go, Here
the author goes to the limit-conceding the
whole constitutional basis of the secession
movement.
And SO viewing the work as a whole. we
find that Jefferson IL the authors ideal, and to
him Jeferson's philosophy the purest OF politi-
cal thought. The Democratic leaders domi-
mating the party after his time lost touch with
the pure thought of the founder Of the party
and swung over to a conservatism which Dol
stored up the very things against which JEFF
ferson fought. But for the great Southerners
who dominated the party until 1860. apart from
their conservatism, Mr.. Dodd has words OF ad-
niration and sympathy, as he does for the peo-
pie whom they represent.
The book is written in a charming style, and
those who welcome new thought on old sub
1ects, as does the writer Of this review, even
though he cannot acquieece in every contention
and View presented. can but thank Professor
Dodd for these suggestive and intimate studies
/ nY faGpr n HI Aid OoJf6
p. r, ANDERSON.
Richmond College. Oct. 7. 1911.