Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-11-23

destined 10 nave DeHOItUle cODsequencS'
and lasting effects on the American nation
On the lst Of March, TIT, Hamilton wa
appointed to place on Washington's staff
becoming one Of his aides, with the rank o.
lieutepant-c colonel, his principal and mos
confidential aide" to use Washington
language. 1t was not without much hesita
ton that Hamilton accepted this post. He
had already made name, and his promo
ton in the line Of the army was secured
and had he remained to take That promo
ton, he would have won the highest dis
tinction, supposing him to have escaped
the casualties OF war. His military genius
was unduestioned; and what Washington
required OF him was service that would not
secure promotion or opportunity to show
that he deserved it. He required the mind
and the pen Of Hamilton. These he obtain
ed and the amount of labor performed by
the youthful aide-de camp with his pen
! was enormous. He was something more
than an aide and private secretary. He
was the commanders trusted friend, and
| he proved that he deserved the trust re.
posed in him, not less by his high-minded
conduct than by tho talent which he
brought to the discharge Of the duties of a
most difficult possibilities which were OF
an arduous and highly responsible char
acter.
There was no event with which Wash
iugton was concerned for more than four
years 10 which Hamilton was not also con-
cerned. The range Of his business and his
labors was equal to his talents, and it is not
possible to say more of them. He was but
twenty years old when Washington thus
really placed him next to himself in the
work of conducting the American cause. -
In what estimation his services were held
by the commander iH-chief may be inferred
from the fact that he was selected by him,
in 1850, being then in his twenty fourth
year, as special minister to France, to in
duce tho French Government to grant more
aid to this country. Hamilton did not take
the office, because it was desired by his
friend, Colsne Laurens, whose father was
then prisoner in England.
Col. Hamilton was married on the 14th
of December, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth
Schuyler, second daughter Of Gen. Philip
Schuyler, one Of the most distinguished
soldiers of the Revolution, to whom was
due the defeat of Gen. Burgoyne, and the
head of one of those old families of which
New Nork possessed so many. This lady
was destined to survive her husband half a
century, and to be associated with two ages
VI TIC utdtuO lCOTi
in her ninety eighth year. She was wo-
man of exalted character, and worthy to be
the wife Of Alexander Hamilton.
The relations between Washington and
Hamilton were briefly interrupted early in
1881, and Hamilton left the commanders
military family. He had a command in
that allied army which Washington and
Rochambeau led to Yorktown, the success
of which put an end to the great war" Of
the Revolution on this continent. When
the British redoubts we're st0rmed, Hamil-
ton commanded the American column, and
carried the redoubt he assailed before the
French had taken that which it fell to their
lot to attack. Shortly sfterward he retired
from the service, and, takidg up his resi-
dence in Albany, devoted himself to the
study of the law. In 1882 he was elected
a member of the Continental Congress by
the Legislature of New York, and took his
seat on the 25th Of November. He proved
an energetic member, his attention being
largely directed to the financial state of the
country, than which nothing could be more
dreary At an early day he had been con
vinced that something sound must be at
tempted in relation to our finances and in
1880 he had addressed letter on the sub
ject to Robert Morris, which showed that
his ideas regarding money and credit were
those of great statesman. But the time
had not come in which be was to mould the
country to his will, and make it rich in spite
OF ITSELF and against its own exertlons.-
More suffering WAS necessary before the
people could be made to listen to the words
Of truth, though uttered by genius. Mill
tary matters also commanded the attention
of the young member, as was natural, he
having been so distinguished as soldier,
and retaining that interest in the army
which he had acquired from six years con-
nection with it. His Congressional career
was brilliant, and added much to his repu-
tation. 1t seemed that he was destined to
succeed in everything he attempted. Yet
at that time he thought of retiring alto
gether from public lite, and Of devoting
himself entirely to his profession, in which
he had already become eminent. In Noyem-
ber, 1888, he removed to the city of New
York, which then had entered on that as
| tonishing growth which has since been so
steadily maintained.
Hamilton's career as the first finance
minister of the United States is the great
est evidence of craftsmanship in Americaa
history; nor is tlikely ever to be surpassed.
so complete is the change in the country g
condition,-a change due in great measure
to his policy and conduct. The world 9
annals shew no more striking example Of
the right maH in the right place than is
afforded by ,Hamilton's Secretaryship..-.
THE discerning eye Of Washington" said
Mr.. Webster in 1881, Immediately called
him to that post which was far the most
important in the administration of the new
system. He WAS made Secretary Of the
Treasury; and how he fulfilled the duties
of such a place, at such time. the whole
country perceived with delight, and the
whole world saw with admiration. He
s,note the rock of the National Resources,
and abundant streams Of revenue gushed
forth. He touched the dead corpse OF the
Public Credit, and it sprung upon its feet.
The tabled birth Of Minerva, from the brain
of Jove, was hardly more sudden or more
perfect than the financial system of the
United States, as it burst forth from the
conceptions Of Alexander Hamilton. y
Lofty as this praise is, it is literally true. -
American Public Credit was dead corpse
in 1889; and in 1870 it was living and erect
as it has ever since remained. in spite Of the
utmost exertions of all political parties t.
reduce it to the state in which Hamilton
! found it, in the hope ofinjuring their rivals
All that has been good in our financial his
tory for three quarters Of century is du'
, to Alexander Hamilton; and all that ha
. 1 Ill =, ha fra nad diraatlxt - v.1l 4.