Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-09-02
The Spirit of Capitalization.


ing and dangerous tendency toward a
consolidated form of government will
not be questioned by intelligent and
dispassionate observers of cotempora-
neous events. II is the product of
the germ of Federalism SO carefully
nurtured by Alexander Hamilton and
the men who under his guidance en-
deavored TO make their peculiar ideas
the corner stone of our governmental
structure. Hamilton was a thorough
and conscientious believer in mon
archical institutions, and considered
the British government the embodi-
ment of human wisdom and excel
lence. Unlike the great examplar of
Federalism, his modern disciples are
not guided by patriotic impulses or
moved to their advocacy of a change
in our system by desire TO give to
the people of the American Union a
more perfect and symmetrical model
than that which came from the hal
lowed hands of Washington and JEFF
ferson. These iatier-day apostles of
Capitalization have been educated to
their belief by the class legislation
of the Republican party and come, in
most instances, from the select and
seclusive few who profess to fear the
capacity of the people people for selfgovern-
ment. Another potent influence which
naturally leads in that direction is
welded by those who have amassed
enormous wealth under the fostering
care of Republican law makers, who
in the newly acquired power which
follows obediently in the wake of opu-
lence, disdain the simplicity and free
dom from pomp and circumstance
which marks the mild and benefcent
sway of Democracy. But perhaps the
most dangerous of all the advocates OF
consolidation are those, who in the
hope of perpetuating political control
in their own hands, would destroy the
omnipotence of the people by central
izing the vast and complex response.
bilities Of government in the hands OF
a few in Washington. This they would
accomplish by enlarging the power Of
the Federal government and dimin-
ishing the authority Of the States.
Their dream is n strong government,
a large standing army, and increased
taxation. The most conspicuous OF
the latter class, by reason of his can.
didacy for the highest Office in the
gift of the people, is James A. Gar.
field. In a debate in the House o.
Representative, few years ago, he
used the following language, ~ beliere
that the fame Of Jefferson is 'oaning
and the fame Of Hamilton Is sUaring in
Ie estimation Of The Amerioan people,
and that 'oe are gruvitating tOpard a
stronger government. I am glad thai
,ee are" There is no installing this
language or the attitude of the Re.
publican Presidential candidate, but
as If 10 emphasize it, Gen. Garfield,
on his recent visit to New York,
warmly eulogized Hamilton in his
speech TO the Boys in Blue, using
even stronger words of commendation
of the great Federalist than those we
have quoted. Thus we see that the
principles of Thomas jefferson, the
author of the Declaration of indie.
pendence, find no lodgment in the
mind of General Garfield. He be
lieves in a government stronger than
that given US by the revered founders
of the American Union and believes
that the ideas Of Hamilton will soor
supplant those of the sage of Monti
cello. Let us pause for moment e
see where these ideas of Hamilton
lead US. Ia the convention which
framed the great Magma Charia Of oul
liberties, Alexander Hamilton opposeS
at every step the building up Of !
free form Of government lie was II
favor Of vesting the supreme executive
authority Of the United States in I
/ Chief MAGISTRATE. n be called eiIhe