The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-12
Alexander Hamilton and the other Great
American Statesmen.

We publish elsewhere, the brief, notes, Of
speech Of General Alexander Hamilton, made 70 the
Federal Convention, in l7s7, as to the form Of a
federal constitution, which il authentic. Il j.
cory Of paper left by him, and in his handwriting,
furnished to Us BY those having the custody Of bis
papers
This curious and remarkable document veTifes
fully the accusation made by alr. Jefferson, that
MIR Hamilton was, in l7-7, monarchst, and TIN
he had little confidence in the Intelligence and
virtue Of the masses q the people. lie distinctly
avows this III this speech, undisguisedly and IN
equivocally; and besides, il its conclusion, Il We
understand him rightly, goes a. far a. Hobbies, Sir
Robert tilmcr, Or any Of the old English monar-
ehical writers, against whom Algernon Sidney aud
Locke used their pens lie goes farther than
Blackstone. lie contends that government 70 be
strong, wise, and pure, must not be based on the
patriotism, int,l gence, virtue Of the people,
but en- the passions Of it, rulers ana especially
thc passions of !" ayarice" and " ambition"
Paradoxical rs this seems, Il i fair reading Of
Mr.. H.'s speech az exhibited by these notes. We
are aware that Cen H., IL 1903, in letter written
70 Timothy Pickering, rccanted some Of these
opinions. Ii il creditable to him that be did p.
Had be lived in this age be would doubtless have
regretted that he had ever entertained any Of them
All the real difficulties the federal government u the
United States have ever encountered, have arisen
from attempts 70 centralizo and consolidate power
nj the expense Of the states, BY the exercise q dis
puted powers ~ Congress. This is the rock
which the Union will split if il should ever b.
wrecked.
A few days since. the Cotri7 and Eaquirer con
Nained ighly mandatory editorial article on General
Hamilton's notions II a federal government fgr the
colonies written in ITO, to J. Duane, and claimed
for General IA. the honor Of being the father Of
the constitution" The editorial and letter were
reviewed in the Hraid; aud il il quite singular 70
notice how the notes now published sustain the
remarks made in that review a. 70 General
Hamilton true sentiments and Il Is also quite
amusing to notice what strange effect
visit TO a monarchiesl court, in diplomatic and
military capacity, will have upon persons u weak
minds. fond Of royal show aud aristocratc ponp,
Including the usual quantity Of fuss and feathers.
The free air Of New York, however, will, We doubt
not, have salutary effect and IN short time Mr..
Webs opinion as to monarchy will be abandoned,
a. well, perchance, as his opinion Of Mr.. Boonnan
ara the Hudson River Railroad. We have known
sudden changes divers questions, y occur IL
day.
The publication of documents like that now given
10 the public, il eminently useful and instructive.
II sets men to thinking, and thinking IN a free
country is steam power.
When we ponder On these things, our admiration
Of the character and qualities q Washington b..
comes more and nose exalted The conviction i
forced upon that he was the chosen instrument
Of llim Who ruleth the dcstinies q nations" not
only 70 achieve the Independence Of the colonies,
but TO establish the goyernment tai institutions OF
che States on such foundations e republican froc-
dom NJ To ensure their pcrpc,uity - long a. The
people deserve to enjoy thcm. How utterly insg.
nifoaik do the political pigmics that have since
been conspicuous in the public councils IL this coun-
try and feited their brief hour the political stage
appear in comparison with him There have Sea
those who have sought TO diparage the intellectual
sndowments Of Washington, because he 10, an
orator or dialectician Providence had giftrl him
sm,pcntly above all bis Contemporaries fJr the posi-
zion be occupied
lie wac prc-emincnt as republican soldier. AMI
Dot txtcllcd a. a republican statesman. That he
ga ~ meuthcr, may be the fact; but be possessed