Diary of Charles Francis Adams, volume 8
1838-08-03
I arose this morning with the kind of warning which precedes a head ach. Nevertheless I went to town and busied myself in the usual range of commissions.
I find my first and second numbers of the Review have been published exactly in the manner of the former numbers but without comment.1 And none of the other papers of either party notice them. At any rate I cannot now complain of the want of distinction given to them by the mode of publication. On the other hand my publisher’s Account came today2 for my last pamphlet and shows me conclusively that it is not expedient to try that mode again with all the press determined to be silent.
Home but I omitted dinner and have no great account to give of the rest of my day, nor did I get free from pain until late into the night.
CFA’s four papers, entitled “The Democratic Address” and signed “A Conservative,” appeared in the Courier on 2, 3, 4, and 8 Aug., each at p. 2, cols. 1–2. They undertake a review of the “Address to the People of the United States” by a Committee of Administration supporters in the Congress. To that document’s confession that “political elements of the country never were in greater confusion,” he asks, “How came they so?” and holds the administration’s poli-88cies responsible. If the Bank was such a failure, why have pecuniary affairs run into such great difficulties two years after its demise? A national banking authority is essential, he asserts, simply to promote a uniform currency, “to check the State institutions in their tendency to saturate the circulation with paper,” but it must be subjected to severe public oversight. However it has been impossible for the Administration to devise any nationally directed scheme because it has been crippled by adherence to a strict constructionism enforced by its Southern, proslavery adherents. Finally, he alleges that the threat of nullification is invoked in the Address to stifle national initiative on the currency and to prevent legislation on slavery in the District.
Missing.
1838-08-04
We have had dry and hot weather for so long that the country begins to show signs of suffering. I was visited by my father to enquire of my condition, and to talk of my papers of which he penetrated the authorship.
My time was principally consumed in drawing out the last number which embraces the vexed question of Slavery, which I finished before dinner although it does not quite satisfy me. The difficulty of the subject and of the audience to address it to is such that I hurry matters which ought to be dwelt upon.
Afternoon, Pliny’s Panegyric which goes over every thing in the world that would furnish material, and Bayle’s Letters which are rather amusing. Evening at the other house spent in conversation. Remarkably beautiful night.
1838-08-05
Warm though hazy and ending in clouds. I read some of Dr. Paley’s Horae Paulinae. Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt preach from a text in I Corinthians 10. 16. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ.” A communion sermon turning very much into the cast of thought of his 4th of July Address, the progress of Religion in ameliorating the social feeling of the world, and hence extending the effect of benevolence in dissipating the great evils of life. Afternoon. Revelations 11. 17. “We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty which are, and wast, and art to come;” The consideration of the Deity in these three relations, very ingeniously managed but rather pretty only.
At home I read a discourse from the English Preacher by Dr. Smalridge. Luke 8. 18. “Take heed therefore how ye hear.” The duty of preparation for instruction, that is by listening with attention and with meekness for the purpose of improvement. A good discourse. Eve-89ning Mr. E. Price Greenleaf came in, and accompanied us to the Mansion. It rained slightly.