The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-11-19

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~ lean political history and an en-
gaging portrait of a typical Yam
kee of clean cut intelligence and force
full character combine to give distinction
to Philip G. Cliffords biography of his
grandfather, Nathan Clifford, statesman
and jurist The book was probably un-
dertaken as a work of piety. but it has
revealed in the biographer the qualities
of a sure-enough historical artist, Impair
tial judgment, grasp of the significance
and perspective of events and uncommon
clarity of narrative style.
1t will be welcomed and read not only
for the new light its incidental documents
throw upon critical and stirring chapters
of the past but also because of the hui
man interest of this story of New Eng
land will to succeed, persistent throughout
an astonishing progress from an obscure
lawyers office in little Maine village to
some of the highest posts of national re-
sponsibility and influence.
Justice Clifford was a lifelong Democrat,
uncompromising in his adherence even in
the times when such adherence often
meant something near to personal odium
in the immediate community. But so APP
parent were the integrity of his Puritan
conscience and the fearless honesty of his
convictions that he seems to have kept in
-,
the bitterest controversies of party and of
faction within party. His mind was both
modest and intrepid An incident charac-
teristic of his readiness TO sacrifice prom
Using career to his private conception of
what was right for the public interest is
told in President Folks diary in the entry
for November 10. 1916. This was less than
two months after Clifford had become At
torney- General in the Polk Cabinet.
Before the church hour this morning.
wrote the President, Mr.. Alto. Gen1 Cliff
ford called and greatly surprised me by
informing me that he had prepared his
letter of resignation of the office of At
torney- GenI of the u. s., and had called
to confer with me on the subject. l al
once expressed my establishment to him
and told him l should greatly regret it
if he should take such a step. / told him
that 1 was entirely satisfied with him, and
hoped he should retain his place
Mr.. Clifford appears to have entertained
some doubt of the adequacy of his expert
ence and legal ability to meet, with sc
short a time for preparation, the crowd
ing responsibilities of the office during
the imminent session of the Supreme
Court Consequently, he went with al
frankness to his chief, in the manner just
related with the resignation in his pocket
and remarking that perhaps the President
had some other person in his mind who
could perform the duties better than he
could. Mr.. Polk continues Il told hin
l had not. and that if he were to resign
it would greatly embarrass me. | think
Mr. Clifford an honest man and sincere
friend. He finally concluded not
to tender his resignation, and retired APP
parently well satisfied at the interview ]
held with him.
That was fortunate for the country as
well as for the Attorney General Nine
days later Mr.. Clifford argued before the
exalted bench on which he was destined
to sit for many years the case of the
United States VS.. the Bank of the United
States. securing the reversal of the de-
cision of the court below and establishing
his own reputation for adequacy as 8
jurisconsult both as to cogency of reason
ing and as to vigor of presentation. The
next day, December %, his appointment