The sun., 1919-03-30

10 hold IN one glad heart.
FIVE MODERN CHRONICLES.
I'VE resume consideration of volumes in the
w series of historical monographs called The
Chronicles Of America yale University Press)
five of which were discussed in this place last week.
The five we have to talk about to-day are all essen
tally modern, that is, they begin with the prelude
to the American civil war and close with study In
American politics. 80
1.-THE Anti-Slavery Crusade"
One of the interesting points made at the outset
of JESSE MAcY's survey of The AntiStaCery Cru
SADIE is the original tie that joined the fight for the
abolition of slavery, the fight against alcoholic In
temperance (not, at first, for downright prohibi-
ton of liquor and the struggle to secure political
rights and economic CAPABILITIES for women: The tie
was one Of personalities. For example, ELIZABETH
CADY STANTON was an anti-slavery delegate at the
world convention in London; SUSAN B.. ANTHONY
was temperance lecturer. Mr.. MACY has selected
most Of the interesting and picturesque incidents Of
the anti-siavery struggle, such as the beautiful
practical joke played by JOHN QUINCY ADAMS on
his fellow Congressman. ADAMS observed that he
had received petition from slaves for three days
his Southern colleagues raved; then ADAMS dis
closed that the petition favored slavery! We are
also reminded that the fine name Of PRESTON
Brooks is unforgettably associated with the most
contemplate person in American history who bore
it. The parts of Mr.. MAcY's book dealing with
Uncle Toms Cabin and the underground railroad
are good though the need to be concise restricts
the author pretty well to generalities in telling
about the escape Of fugitive slaves The closing
chapter, entirely adequate'is on JOHN Brown.
'The Day of the confederacy."
NATHANIEL W. STEPHENSON, who writes of The
Day of the Confcderacy, is Southerner and
qualified historian. Another able historical writer,
WILLIAM Roscoe THAYER, has lately praised the
volume on abraham Lincoln and the Union, also
by Mr. STEPHENSON, also in this series Of books and
published last fall. 1t is not hard to praise this
record of Confederate hopes and heartbreaks,
though it is difficult to remain patient and read on
when he remarks - -,.>
THE principle for which LINCOLN stood has
saved Americans in the Great War from playing
such a trembling part as Holland. The principle
which seemed to. LEE even more essential, which
did not perish at AppomattOx but transformed
and not destroyed, is what has kept us from be-
coming western Prussia
Nor are we impressed except unfavorably, by
]kening of seeding South Carolina to Serbia. The
Serbans will not be flattered Mr.. THkYER praises
Mr.. STEPHENSON for clipping the superfiuons wings
from LINcoLN's shoulders. We hope he has not
done il to plant them on backs somewhat less fit to
wear them
We have NO desire to magnify these failings, or
possibly mere infecities. The Day Of the Con-
federGcy is a vivid and excellent picture of the
political life of the South while the war lasted The
tide of military affairs is recorded but this is no
chronicle of battles but of peoples temper, trials
and morale JEFFERSON DAVIS is particularly well
drawn.
"The Old Merchant Marine"
We shall have TO contradict ourselves at this
point as to the range of these five books. In The
Old Merchant Marine RALPH D. PAINE goes back
to the Colonial beginnings Of American shipping.