The Nevada Democrat., 1856-11-12
.1e1rsrson ANA hamilton.

These eminent men have been often com
pared aud contrasted by their separate admirers
as to their talents their services to their coun-
try, and their influence on succeeding genera
tions
When we consider the very early age at
which Hamilton obtained distinction as politl-
cal writer; that at thirty he was associated with
Madison and Jay in expounding and defending
the new Federal Constitution, and that he was
the ablest as well as the largest contributor to
that unrivalled commentary on our political
system; when we further recolect the readiness
and ability with which he wrote his numerous
reports to Congress, we cannot hesitate TO award
TO him the palm of superior genius over all his
contemporaries. 81 f0a ssf., s- 81
OF the services of these statesmen, as well
to the country as TO the Administration of which
they were members, they both must be placed
in the highest rank. Hamilton, at the head of
the Treasury Department, subjected the finan-
ces of the nation--the collection; safe-kceping,
and distribution of its revenue, the duties and
the responsibilities of all its fiscal oficers-to a
course of regulations so efficient and complete
as to have since undergone no material change.
Jefferson, on his part, in his diplomatic cores
pondence generally and especially with Genet
and with Hammond, defended the rights and in
terests of his CO untry with masterly ability
The decimal currency, of which he was the aIl-
thor, may claim to have rendered more useful
service to his country than any one of which
| his rival can boast The saving of time and
trouble which this Improvement has already eff
fected it is not easy to estimate. On the score
of official services their merits may be regard
ed as not materially different.
But as to their influence on succeeding gene
rations, there can be no comparison between
them. Hamilton's political principles, gradual
ly losing weight in this country, have now all
but disappeared, except in very small class,
about as numerous perhaps as the disciples OF
Sir Robert Filmer, or of Hobbies, in their day
while Jefferson's still flourish in undiminshed
vigor His political maxims. exhibited in a
form which the humbest capacity can under
stand and remember, have become familiar tC
every American, and have obtained the curren
cy and almost the weight in proverbs. He has
added new force to the prejudices of his coun
trymen against the artificial distinctions ofrank
and his denunciations of the abuses of power
find an echo in the bosoms of the great mass Of
the American people. Being in accordance with
the great fundamental principles of our nature,
they are transmitted from generation to gene
ration, and are ever gaining new force and au-
thority from time. They pervade the Ameri-
can mind as one of its elements, and can no
more be separated from it than solar heat or
electricity from the atmosphere Ii Hamilton $
talents have modified the machinery of the Fed
cral Government Jef7erson's more penetrating
influence has acted on its incorporeal part, its
soul, and consequently partakes of the same SUI
pcriority over his rivals that mind has over
NATTER 7dcker's History Of the United States.