The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-06-15
Thursday Evening. June 9, 1884
ALEXANDER HAMILroN ON THE PowERs OF

-hLEAANDEh lIAMtLION ON IhE hEthS We
THE GovERNMENT.-It has often been in.
timated by politicians not familiar with the
early history of the country, that Gen.
Alexander Hamilton was an advocate of a
strong Government, and favored the idea
of Presiden. for life. This imputation is
occasionally repeated with an air of conf
dence which gives it cre1ence with the
multitude. But the charge was controvert-
ed in positive manner more than fifty
years ago by the distinguished Statesman
himself. A letter to Timothy Pickering,
first published in 1919, is of sufficient in
terest to be reproduced at this time:
NFw York, Sept. 16, 1908.
My DEAR SIR: l will make no apology
for my delay in answering your inquiry
some time since made, because | could
offer none which would satisfy myself. l
pray you only to believe that it proceeded
from anything rather than from want of re-
spect or regard. l shall now comply with
your request.
The highest-toned propositions which l
made in the Convention were fora Presi-
dent, Senate, and Judges during good be-
havior;a House of Representa- ives for three
years. Though | would have enlarged the
legislative power of the General Govern
mcnt, yet l never contemplated the abo-
lition of the State Governments; but, on
the contrary, they were in some particulars,
constituent parts ofmy plan.
This plan was, IN my conception con-
formable with the strict theory of Gov
ernment purely republican; the essential
criteria Of which are, that the principal Or
gans of the executive and Legislative depart.
mcnts be elected by the people, and hold
the offices BY irresponsible and temporary
or defef sible nature.
A vote was taken on the proposition re-
spocting the executive, Five States were
in favor of it-among these Virginia; and
though, from the manner of voting by del
egations, individuals were not distinguish.
ed, it was morally certain from the known
situation of the Virginia members (six in
number, two ofthem, Mason and Rendolph
protesting popular doctrines) that Madison
must have concurred in the vote of Virgin
ia. Thus, if sinncd against republican,
ism, Mr.. Madison is not less guilty.
/ may truly, then, say that | never pro
posed either President or Senate for life
and that neither recommended nor meli
tated the annihilation of the State Govern
mentS.
And I may add that, in course of thu
discussions in the Convention, neither th'
propositions thrown out for debate, no
even those who voted in the earlier stage
,of deliberation, were considered as eviden
'ces of defnitive opinion in the propose
or voter. Itappeared to be in some sor
understood that, with view to free inves
tigation, experimental propositions Nigh
be made, which were to be received mere
" as suggestions for consideration. Ac
cordingly, it is is fact that ny final opin
ion aOds against an Executive during goo
behavior, on account of the increased dan
ger to the public tranquility incident t
the election ola magistrate of his degree Q
permanency. In the plan OF Consultation
which drew up while the Convention wa
sitting, and which communicated to MI
Madison about the close of it, perhaps
day or two after, the Office of President hs
no longer duration than for three years.
This plan was predica.ed upon thcs
bases: /. That the political principles of tn
people of this country would endure moth
ing but a Republican Government.
That in the actual situation of the country
was itself right and proper the republica
theory should have full and fair trial.
That to such trial it was essential that til
Government should be so constructed as
give itall the energy and the stability re
Doncileable with the principles Of that thee
ny. These were the genuine sentiment
of my heart, and upon them then acted.
1 sincerely hope that it may not here
after be discovered that, through want
sufficient attention to the last idea, the e.
pertinent of Republican Government, eve
in this country, has not been so complet,
as satisfactory and as decisive as could
wished.
Very truly, dear sir, your friend an
servant A HAMILTON.
TIMOTHY PICKERING, Esq.
GoonNEss or Gon Tho silk worn, %,