The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-02
THE HAMILTON TREES.

ander Hamilton-His Relation TO the
Constitution = Taiieyrands Opinion OF
Him-Bu-r Pronounced n Murderer by
the Coroner's Inquest
New YonK, April Is. 1892.
Hon. O. D. Potter.
MY DEAR Sir: When I read In tho public
prints that you had purchased tho Hamilton
trees" and the ground on which they stand. I
| wns very much interested In your patriotic
| Efforts to honor the memory OF one OF tho
greatest men this country has produced. On
Saturday last you were kind enough to take
mo out to visit the place. Thought 1t. next to
Mt Vernon. the most interesting spot on this
continent. then expressed to you my pur-
pose to address n letter to you on Hamilton's
character and public services. ! shall do this
In as short space as can
have been q close student OF Hamiton's
| life and writings. and. with tho exception Of
| his professed biographers. probably know as
| much about him as any ono now living. Ono
| decisive proof OF his greatness Of intellect and
| OF his character Is the fact that Washington
| trusted and leaned upon him as he trusted
| and leaned upon no other man. from first to
last. very eminent and saGacious foreigner.
the celebrated Prince Talleyrand. who knew
Hamilton personally. has left his estimate Of
him in unmistakable terms My kinsman. the
late MIR. George Tlcknor. wrote to mo in 1854
as follows:
"One day in January. 1910, talking with
Prince Talleyrand in Paris about his visit to
America, he EXPRESSED the highest admiration
OF Mr.. Hamilton. saving, among other things.
that no had known nearly all OF the marked
men of his time. but that no had never known
one on the whole equal TO Hamilton, Iwas
much surprised and gratifed with tho remark:
but still. feeling that rs an American was in
some sort party concerned by patriotism in
the compliment, answered with n little re.
serve that the great military commanders and
tho great statesmen OF Europe had dealt with
larger masses and wider interests than Hami-
ton had. MATS, monsieur, the Prince instantly
replied. Hamilton ayoit deyin6 rEurope.'
In my History Of tho Constitution. first pub-
lished in 1854, said that Hamilton's great
characteristic was his profound insight into
the principes of governments: and that the
sagncity with which he comprehended all sys-
TENS. and the thorough knowledge he POSSESS
ed OF the working OF nil tho freer institutions
OF ancient and modern times, united with n
singular capacity to make the experience of
tho mast bear on the actual state OF society,"
rendered him ono of tho most useful states
mon that America has known. Whatever in
the science of government had already been
ascertaincd: whatever the civil condition OF
mankind in any are Ind made practicable or
provod ahortiye. whnteyer eyperienco Ind
demonstrated. wboteyer tho missions tbe IN
torests or the wants of mon Ind modo In evit.
ble be scemod to know intuitivelv INT h,
was no tbeorist. His mowers were ali ointment.
" practical. He detected tho vice Of a yicious
tbeorv instantly. md shattered II with n sinple
blow.
II hns sometimes been charged that he
wished TO seq n monnrcbical government os.
tirelv without foundation. II was mado nv
some Of his CONTEMPORARIES who were his no.
, nonio y. .ts =. "n0 "o.o no w
ltical opponents. and IL mas moro or less
some OF ms ~ inc present aay.
Constitution as the best form of civil poiity for
the attainment Of tho great objects Of govern.
en ha M, th.t oss
of liberty than those who favored moro popu-
VIII DO seareheo III vain 10. ahy olsresard OF the
natural rights OF mankind. or any insensbilty
=, .. w." t'nt thas hioss;, vas v ~ Nv
neeyeu tnas .nose IS can DC
cured SS IN wn,cn change OF
had srh ' o th .haS ne
.,aa 80 sn Il" a., es.innae % inc ENGLISH con
vention he held that tho chief want OF this |
country was government into which tho t eIs.
49, ~
ment OF permanent tenure OF office could be |
partly infused and he read in the Convention,
nc IN iurstrati,n -, his ,a,,,. ~ ,,,;4.n,..
as nn .!us'a" "i VI ms ',ewS: out wthout
pressing 1t. plan by which the Executive and
the Senate could hold their Offices during
cood babavior put ho novo- roc,raad .nc
so'" Do""''o.' o"' "o .e'e' fesaroeu inc
experiment OF monarchical government in
this country Ms either practicable or deslra-
hle A tenuro of office NV ,vhio,, tho
- u'e .o"u,o VI oitioo. Wy WHICH inc
Senators could hold their offices during good
behavior. while the members Of the lower
uous, n, Conor,ss ,,orH ho oh.,a. H., IL,
;taS .o,u N pnS mou.u W enoseh lor nm
ited Terms had no tendency toward mon
nrehical government: and II the powers OF the
PRESIDENT OF the United States were to DO
shaped as they were by tho Constitution and
as S they exii ~ nov. permanent tenure, OF
ONCE Ior she rres l would not have made
monarchy. lnero can ne no question: it
seems to me. that the period OF four years, is
chi toD 81 wnicb hh rs ied 70 serious evils.
be 4 TO secure reeisftion for second term
oy Inc a,i Use p. tne p9DIic patronage
natni.toh re!ation 20 me constitution Is
peculiar. Te had loss direct agency IN franz