The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1873-01-23
THE FIRST CABINET.
Tne Hen Who Surrounded Wash
tngt6n.

THE FIRST CABINET.
The Men Who Surrounded Wash
tngt6n.
Mr.. Parton. in the January Atlantic,
thus describes Washington and his
first Cabinet:
Age had not quenched the vivsci,y
Of either Of the four Secretaries: JEFF
fsrson, AZ; Knox, 40; Randolph, 81 !;
Hamilton, 33. When, in the worlds
history, was 80 young q group charged
with . task so new. So difficult, SO
momentous?
Such were the gentlemen who we're
gathered around the council table at
the Presidents house In New York IN
1850; at the head Of the table, General
Washington, now 81, his frame ~
erect as ever, but his face showing the
deep traces Of the thousand anxious
hours he had passed. Not versed in
the lore Of schools. but gifted with .
great sum ofinteliect. the eternal glory
of this man is, that he used all the
mind he had In patient endeavors to
find out the right way; ever on the
watch to keep out Of his decision
every thing like bias or prejudice |;
never deciding till he had exhausted
every source Of elucidation within his
reach. Some questions he could not
decide with his own mind, aud he
knew he could not. In such cases, he
bent all his powers to ascertai II who
the subject appeared to minds fitted to
grapple with il. and getting them to
view 1t without prejudice.
am delighted to learn that Mr..
Carlyle can seldom lear the name OF
Washington pronounced without
breaking forth with an explosion Of
contempt, especially. it is said. il there
10 an American within hearing.
Washington is the exact opposite Of a
fell Carlylesn hero. His glory IL that
he was not richly endowed, not suf-
ficient unto himself, not indifferent to
human rights. opini. MS, and prefer
ences; but, feeling deeply his need of
help, sought it, where alone IL was to
be found. jn minds fitted by nature
and training to supply his lack. 1t Is
this heartfelt desire to be right which
shines 80 affectingly from the plain
words of Washington, and gives him
rank SO far above the gorgeous bandits
whom hero worshipsrs adore.
On the right Of the President, in
the place Of honor, sat jefferson, now
AZ, the senior Of all his colleagues
older in public sci vice, too, than any
of them tall, erect, ruddy; noticeably
quiet, aud unobtrusive in his address
aud demeanor the least pugnacious
Of men. Not II fanatic, not an ent hus-
last but an Old fashioned Wing, nuT
tured upon 'old Coke" enlightened
by twenty-five years intense discus
sion-with pen, tongue and sWord-ol
Cokean principles. Fresh from the
latest commentary upon Coke-the
ruins Of the Is B1stffe-and wearing stiil
hia rad PAria wAiscoat aud breeches,
he was an object Of particular interes,
TO Ill men, and, doubtless, often re.
lieved the severity Of business by some
thrilling relation out OF his late for
sign experience.
Opposite him, on the President, &
left. was the place Of Hamilton, Sec
retary Of the Treasury. in ell the ALERT
ness and vigor Of 3s years II time
had matuIed his talents, 1t had no.
lessened his self sufiiciency! because.
as yet. ell his short life had been sue.
cess, aud he had associated chiefly
with men who possessed nothing
either Of his fiuency or his arithmetic.
A positive, vehement little gentleman,
with as firm faith in the apparatus
Of finance ~ General Knox had in
great gums. lie WAS now jn the full
tide Of activity. lobbying measures
through Congress. and organizing the
Treasury Department-the most con-
spicuous man in the Administration,
except tho President. As usual, his
unseen work was his best. In organ
izing . system of Collecting, keeping,
and disbursing the revenue he EN-,
ployed SO much tact. forethought, and
fertility that his successors have each,
In turn, admired and retaiued his
most important devices He arranged
tho system SO that the Secretary OF the
Treasury. At any moment, could sur
vey the whole working Of it; and he
held at command all the resources OF
the United States, subject to lawful
u.e, without being able to divert one
dollar to purpose not specially au-
thorized. He could not draw his own
pittance Of salary without the sigma
lures Of the four chief officers OF the
department = Comptroller, Auditor,
Treasurer. and Register.
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