Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-04-11
NO. 10.

none more distinguished in OUT ptiliicat
hisInry. He is the perfect type and I'M.
personation of the national or Federal
school, Il use party names with reiuc-
tance, and only for the sake Of brevify,) as
Jefferson is Of the State Rights Republi-
can school. They were both men OF emf
men, talent, ardent patriotism. great bold
ness, and comprehensive and systematic
understanding. They were both meft
who fixed on single object far ahead and
converged all their powers towards its ac-
complishment. The difference between
them is, that Jefferson had more genius,
Hamilton more abilities; the former lean
ed more to the side of liberty, and his
great rival more to that of power. They
both have impressed themselves deeply
on the movements Of the Government,
but, as yet, Hamilton far more SO than
Jefferson, though the impression Of tho
latter is destined in the end, as trust, to
prove the more durable of the two.
1t has .heen the good fortune Of the
school of which Mr.. Jefferson is the head,
to embody their principles and doctrines in
written documents, (lhe report referred TO,
and the Virginia and Kentucky resolu-
tious,) which are the acknowledged creed
Of the party, aud may at all times be re-
ferred to, in order to ascertain what they
are in fact. The opposite school has lelt
no such written and acknowledged creed.
but the declaration & acts of its great lead
leave little doubt as to either its princi-
piles or doctrines. In tracing them a mar
ralive of his life and acts need no. bo
given. 1t will suffice to say, that he en-
tered early in life into the army of the
revolution, and became member of the
military family of Washington, whose
confidence he gained and retained to the
last. He next appeared in the convention
which framed the constitution where.
with his usual boldness, he advocated
President and Senate for life, and the ap-
pointment, by this Government, of tho
Governor Of the States, with a veto on
State laws. These bold measures falling,
he retired from the convention, it is said,
in disgust; but afterwards, on more ma.
ture reflection, became the jealous and
able advocate Of the adoption of the con-
sitution. He saw, as he thought, in a
scheme of Government, which conferred
the unlimited power of taxing and deelar-
ing war, the almost unbounded source Of
power, in resoIuie and able hands;
hence bis declaration, that though the
Government was weak in its organi-
zaliou, it would, when put in action, find
the means Of supporting itself; profound
reflection, proving that he clearly saw how
to make il, in practice, what bis moye-
ments in the convention had failed 10 ac-
complish in its organization. Nor has he
left it in doubt, as to whar were the means
on which he relied to effect bis object.
We all recollect the famous assertion OF
the elder Adams, that the "British consti-
tuition" restored to its original principles,
and freed from corruption, was The wiscst
and best ever formed by man; and Ham,
illon's reply, that the British constitution.
freed from corruption, would be impraeti-
cable, hut, with lis corruption, was the
best that ever existed. To realize what
was intended by this great man, it must
be understood, that he meant not corrup-
tion in its usual sense Of bribery. He was
too able aud patriotic TO resort 10 such
means, or 10 the petty policy this bill is
intended to prevent. Either of these modes
of operation was on too small scale for
him. Like all great and comprehensive
minds, he acted on masses, without much
regard to individuals He meant. by cor
ruptinn, something far more powerful and
comprehensive; that policy, which sys-.
temaiically favored the great and power
fnl classes of society, with the view of
binding them, through their interest, to
the support of the Government. This
was the single object Of his policy, and 10.
which he strictly aud resolutely adhered,
throughout his career, hut which, wheth-
er suited or not. othe British system oG
Government, is, as time has shown, un-.,
congenia and dangerous 10 ours.
After the constitution was adopted, he
was placed at the head of the Treasury
Department, position which gave fulE
scope to his abilities. and placed ample
means at his disposal to rear up the sys.
tenn he medilaled. Well and skiIfully
did he use them. His FIRST measure was
the adoption of The funding system, on the
British model; aud on this the two schools,
which have ever since, under one form or .
another, divided the country, and ever
will divide it, so long as the. Government
endures, came into conflict. They were
both in favor of keeping the public fifth
but differed as 10 the mode Of assuming the
public debt, and the amount that ought to- !:
be assumed. The policy Of Hamilton pres
vailed. The amount assumed was about /
$4,000, ,00U. vast sum for country so
impoverished, and witfra population so
inconsiderable, as we then had. Thercres
alton ofthe system, aud the assumption os
so large debt, gave decided and pow.
erful impulse to the Government, in tho 7;
direction in which it has since continued
to move, almost constantly. q s.s -.