Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-08-25
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
How n Great Scandal was Dealt
with Seventy Years Ago.
From the New Orleans Picayune.l


with Seventy Years Ago.
From the New Orleans Picayune.l
About seventy years ago there lived
in this country a very great man. His
name was Alexander Hamilton. he had
been distinguished officer of the Revo'
luton and trusted friend and counselor
of the ilustrious George Washington.
On the organization of the government,
Hamilton became a leader of a great
political party, and was appointed the
first Secretary of the Treasury of the
United States. He was the ablest man
who ever filled that Office AS a party
leader at time Of fierce political ex'
citements, Mr.. Hamilton was the shining
mark of many bitter assaults. His own
party was not slow or moderate in its
counter attacks. Mr.. Jefferson was the
target of the Federal or Hamiltonian
diatribes. His private life, too, was
overhauled, and his every act distorted
into something criminal or immoral.
There we're no limits to this sort of
abuse on both sides. At last the Jeffer
sonians lighted upon precious piece of
scandal against Mr.. Hamilton, which did
not even need coloring or exaggeration
to render it excessively distasteful to his
friends and damaging to his reputation.
The story ran thus: A buxom and
attractive woman had visited the young
and susceptible Secretary of the Treas
ury, and under pretext of seeking some
favor of him, had captivated and Sc.
duced him from the paths of duty and
morality. An amour of a somewhat
extended and complicated character
sprung out of the affair, which had gone
far enough, however, to expose the char
acter OF the woman as an adventures
and blackmailer Of the most aVaricious
nature. Finally convenient husband
was introduced into the drama, an illit-
crate and vulgar fellow, who attempted
the panel game on the great Secretary.
Nothing but an office in the Treasury or
$60, 600 in cash would solace the wounds
o; his honor and connubial felicity which
were inflicted by Hamilton.
That great man resisted and dehed
the arts aud opportunities OF both the
woman and her suppostious husband
Thereupon they sold their valuable
scandal to the enemies of Mr.. Hamil-
ton, who we're not slow in laying the
whole affair before the world. The
friends of Mr.. Hamilton denied the
story at first, but were quickly silenced
by the amazing courage and honesty OF
his answer.
Freely admitting that he had strayed
from the paths of duty, and had griev.
ously siuned as father and husband un-
der the wiles and seducing arts of vo
luptious woman, he Indignantly repelled'
all aspersions on his henor as a public
official and gentleman. For bis sin, OF
which he deeply repented, he asked the
indulgence OF his fellow'citizens, but if
he had permitted himself to be misled
by any art or influence to a betrayal OF
the high trust con6ded, he should feel
that he had no right to ask their forgive
ness or indulgence.
1t is a curious fact in our political and
social history that Mr.. Hamilton's manly
answer completely disarmed the public
censure, and he continued, until his I'M
happy death, the idol of his party and
the most admired and respected political
chieftain Of the era.