The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-11
THE LIFE OF JOHN MARSHALL.

1756-17SS: Vol. .. 17S9-lS0t. Hough-
ton-MifiIin Co. Boston. 1916.
John Marshall has not invited the
historian In spite OF his extreme i'm
portance and his remarkable personal
eccentricities, there is about the great
chief Justice a flavor of law books
and law reasoning which tends to re-
pei the m ~ely political historian. In
deed. Marshall has been far too long
disregarded. We are accustomed to
think of him with reverent igorance
as n great and inspired Judge: for
getting that his significance is incom-
para bly, less legal than historical The
roles that he PLAYED in American life
is unrea1ized. Familiar figures of SOL
diers and politicians strut about the
stage Of our history, while the chief
Justice remains hidden, although the
master of the show. For Marshall
sven more than Jefferson. is the great
creative force IN American history
Former Senator Beveridge appre-
hends Marshall's historical import
ance. and for this reason has essayed
TO write his life. No better choice
OF subject could have been made It
was Marshall. with hts faithful dis
ciple, story. who really founded the
doctrine OF the Union. one and in
pal hbIFt " HItiI II " tLS the Junction
OF Daniel Webster TO proclaim to the
world. Webster was but the mouth
piece. of the jurist. Therefore. Mar
shall is the man on within the re-
sponsihihty chiefly falls for the over
throw CO States rights and the con-
eolfdation of the nation. To the
Southerner. Marshall may appear as
n somewhat sinister Of stupendous
figure wreathed IN thunder clouds and
Hghtninrs-the true saviour Of the
Union ana nemesis of secession.
To the world at large he is an
unique historical force the legal
legislator. the Judge who makes the
law outright with subtle skill and not
the interpreter Of the law the hridler
Of Congress and the American de.
mocraCy. Marshall set his single Will
and genius against all the descriptive
and individual forces OF American
life and prevailed over them. II was
meet that the most 9 enAcant figure
in American history not excepting
Washington. Should have an adequate
hiogra ply.
And this has come Albert J.
Beveridge's training In affairs pre-
pared him. like Thncyddes to be-
come an historian of tho first class
Il is the misfortune OF university in
structor historians that they do not
know life. and consequently cannot
mako history Hfelike But Senator
Bevcridge's notable public career. as
well rs his journalistic ard literary
experience have fitted him as by
special providence. for his task.
Mr.. Beveridge has given his whole
self to history. He has made him
self the master Of tho diffcult art Of
~
the sources Of Marshaus life. snarinc
neither expense nor labor. In fact, no
American biography has involved
such prolonged and exhaustive ex-
animation OF historical material
But the book Is not a mere history
an account Of the times It Is his
tory from the viewpoint OF John Mar
shall and the personal touch Is never
lost. This Is art. Biography is hard
70 write ard the constant temptation
Is TO cut loose from the Immediate
subject and hts setting,
But Senator Beveridge never yields
He is ever thinking OF John Marshall.
and while the setting given Marshall
is singularly rich and varied. II Is the
setting: Marshall e the story. and the
development OF Marshall his intellect
and character, proceeds with all n
noveIist's skill
The first chapters. devoted 10 Mar
shalrs environment and early I;fe.
form one of the clearest pictures OF
colonial Virginia literature. Marshalrs
Revolutionary career is spirttedly rom
dered, and his own personal life. char
acterlstics courtahip and marriage are
charmincly described. His political
career Is given In great fulIness and
the account Of the famous Virginia
- -
Federal Constitution Is the hest writ
ten. In his engrossing narrative S.n-
ator Beveridee nils two volumes with
the life of Marshall up to 1901. rhe
time Of the appointment as chief Jus
tice, This is a juaicious division of
the task. Two volumes will complete
the life and these volumes viii show
the historical consequences OF Mar
/ shalls great decisions.
American historians produce able
monographs. but they have not done
, we'll with biography There are few
good American Biographies for which
reason Beveridges Marshall is n note
worthy literary event. 1t Is hardly
too much to say that the book prom
Ises to be the most monumental hioR-
raphy in American literature--our best
classic. II is based on rigid research,
it is written In style at once vivid
and polished and. more than all. 1t
gives a picture OF the man. John Mar
shall, "as he was in life" 1t Is
credit to American letters and we
should take pride in pointing to 1t
as a work which holds it's own In
every way with the best of recent
English biography. Mr.. Moncypenny's
great Life of Disraeli.
H. J. ECKENRODE.