Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-31
Administering the constitution.


Mr. Madison said that the difference between
Hamilton and jefferson consisted in this-that
the former sought TO administration the COnsii-
tuition into what he thought il ought TO have
been and the latter sought 10 administer it as it
was intended by its Trainers, and understood by
the States which ratified it, Such Is the exact
difference, after seventy five years, between the
Republican anu Democratic party. History re-
peats itself in political il does in all other re
spectS No man familiar with the history of his
government can fail to discover the analogies be
tween that political theory which came near pro-
ducing a civil war; aud that which has produced
n civil war The difference IS due primarily 10
the poverty OF tile United States in 1890. It's re
cent experience OF war. and the infinitely
smaller interests affected; but. secondarily aud
principally, 10 the spirit of self sacrifice of the
great Democratic leader, and the patriotism
which made him willing to endure a wrong for
the sake of the Union. Our readers may posi-
bly, have forgotten or neglected to note the oc
currence 20 which we Fallude. The Eastern
States at that time owned the largest share of the
State claims for expenses incurred during the
for independence. They sought the as
sumption of those debts by the United States
In other words. they proposed that other States
should be taxed for their special benefit
Such an assumption was clearly not constitu-
tional Congress bad AS much delegated right
10 paw the debt of Massachusetts, as to pay the
debt OF Great Britain. The project was defeated
in the House by small majority
SO high were the feuds excited on the subject
that on It's rejection business was suspended:
Congress me. and adjourned from day to day
threatened secession and dissolution Hamilton.
in despair. ape iled To jefferson. That great
man USED his influence. and procured the change
OF some votes from Virginia and saved the Union
The location of the seat of government on the
Potomac was used IS the reason of the change
This was the first Of the great series of compro-
mises in all of which the Eastern States ALWAYS
made the exchange of Diomedes. giving an old
suit Of iron armor and receiving one Of gold
liz il perhaps not little remarkable that
neither Hamilton nor jefferson seemed to have
had the uo.ion that the threats of dis
solution and secession should be met by
ah announcement OF coercion That the physical
power to ccsrce wa. not in the hands of the gov
ernmeai may possibly be the reason the idea
never presented itself TO their minds Sxates-
men are always PRACTICAL; they deal with materi
ais thew are, and never fall into the fool sh
notion of rhetorcians ike Sumner. that you can
act with human passion and pre udces ne
Flat head Indians DC with their papooses
This administration. from the President to the
humbiest official. from the Senator To the scribe
through every ramlhcation of impolicy, is satura.
ted with the idea that the Constitution of the
United States is a piece OF dough band of in
dia rubber. that i, can be moulded, stretched
shortened haitened. fashioned 10 the
purpose OF assumed philanthropy, OF
assured stock -brokering Of enrich
Ing individuals, of impoverishing individuals. OF
damming one channel of trade, OF opening an
other, Of regulating interest on money and mora
81 sentiments. Of creating banks. of destroying
banks. Of settling political opinions. oil Furnishing
political opinions. VI expOundng Law. ard. o