The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-12-10
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
(Report for Class ID By F. H.

mo American, except Washington, mas hao
-everyt hing he wrote, said or did, published
with such elaboration as has fallen to the lot of
Hamilton. We look in vain for man. who in an
equal space of time produced such direct and
lasting effects institutions and history"
says Hamilton's bioerapher. 1t is in the light of
a statesman that will present him in this paper
Hamilton was the of Scotch merchant born
on the island of Nevis in 1857. He was early left
O the care of relatives who placed him in a count
ing room before he was twelve years old. 1t was
he,0 that he first exhibited those talents which
later won him the proud position he occupies in
the history of our country. He was sent to this
country at the age of fifteen to be educated. After
spending year in a grammar school at Elizabeth
town he entered Kings College, N. Y. The first
event of special interest which occurred after he
rea ched this country. his appearance at
meeting of the patriots, on July 9th l774 He
here astonished his audience by his powers of
orat DRY and the soundness of his reasoning. We
now hear of him frequently until he received the
appointment of aid-de-camp to General Washing
ton with the rank of lieutenant colonel Previous
to receiving this appointment, Hamilton had al
ready won his spurs gallant officer and a brill
liant writer. His principle duty as an officer of
Washington's staff, was the conduct of Washing
toms immense correspondence. During his four
years service in this capacity he not only wonlthe
confidence of Washington-who understood and
appreciated his wonderful talents-but he always
reta ined it Washington. on the other hand. never
lost sight of his aid and even after Hamilton re-
signed his position he continued to watch over his
fortunes though he we're member of his own
family. And hen finally the revolution success
fully terminated. and Washington was unani-
mous!y elected president of the United States.
he deci I'd on Hamilton the most competent
person to fill the highly responsible and trying
position of secretary of the treasury. Washington
was not the only one who considered Hamilton
equal t. the undertaking. but such men as Robert
Morris had singled him out as the man above all
others. to manage this important department of
the cabinet. Probably nothing was more congo
NAL to Hamilton than the work of this depart
ment; even the hardships and excitement of the
camp and field were not enough to keep him from
meditating on schemes of finance and govern
ment. His plan for national bank had been out
lined in letter to Robert Norris written while he
was fighting for the liberty of his adopted coun-
try. Hamilton not only rendered great service to
his country by evoking the powers of the constitu
ton, providing measure Of revenue and restor.
ing the credit of the government but he also took
stitution. The others prominent in this work
were Washington, Franklin and Madison. And
after the constitution was accepted by the con.
vention Hamilton was the most active worker in
securing its ratification by the states. In all the
great questions that came before the cabinet
during Hamiltons term of Office he took very
conspicuous part. and made many bitter enc
mics by the fearless manner in which he support.
ha Too INV Nd to hos
The course he pursued in paying off the French
debt was specially obnoxious to his enemies who
generally sympathized with the French. He was
even accused by his enemies of misapprOpriating
public funds. but he not only proved these
charges to be false and malicious, but courted the
strictest investigation of his every official act He
was even attacked by Madison rather the re-
publicans-Madison leading the attack, which was
intended to ruin and disgrace him. but through it
all the statesman looms up brighter than ever.
Washington always included Hamilton among
the few persons whom he was wont to consult on
important matters and continued to seek his ad.
vice after he had resigned his position as freely
as though he were still member of his cabinet.
Hamilton firm believer that fright is
might he loved justice as much as liberty. He
did not believe in appealing to might unless all
other means failed. He despised the anarchy
which reigned during the French revolution, and
at times during our own. Here 1 might contrast
him with the man who was shortly after to make
all Europe tremble before his victorious legions.
While the British ship Asia was storming the city
of New Y ork and the liberty boys were rushing
through the streets threatening destruction. to
every tory, Hamilton appeared on the doorstep of
the house of DR.. Cooper-a prominent adherent
of the crown-and as soon as the mob who were
bent on doing the tory clergyman harm, appeared,
he began to reaso on with them and denounced
their disorderly conduct. While, on the other