The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-12-03


Hon. George Shea, LII. D., OF New
York, last night delivered lecture on
THE Life aud Character OF Alexander
Hamilton" before the Delaware His.
torlcal Society. A large number OF
}, the members of the Hamilton Debat-
ling Coterie were also present. Judge
Wales introduced the speaker.
4 The front OF the room was decorated
with large American flag. A picture
lof Judge Willard Hall was hung in the
.lcentre.
In opening he said he would speak
particularly Of Hamlltonas the found
or OF the states In empire, an ideal
solely American.
! Hamilton seemed to know intuitiye-
lily everything that was neeoed In the
science OF Government. He was no
.ltheorist. Tho Federalist will continue
TO bear the name of Hamilton. Great
nations decline and fall; great men
'lare often defective; but great book
. lis indeed lmperishabie. Comparisons
have been made between the younger
split OF England and Hamilton. Pitt
was learned In the art of parliamentary
law; he was a great parsonage. Ills
lplan OF finance failed wholly
In the autumn of 1853 Hamilton
commenced the active battle of life.
He had genius understanding mem
DRY, taste, reflection, industry and ex-
actness. He kept one thing at time
before his mind. He was the most
laborious statesman Early In life he
was in counting room, which period
he says. Yves the most useful pa-t oil
ibis practical education.
i In the methodical aud energetic
management OF great affairs of ate
a nd f.,, - al ~
INTERESTS committed 10 his charge the
influence OF Ills mercantile knowledge
land habit Is notable.
HIS studies OF the classics we're di.
Irected by man named Hugh Knox.
who has been mentioned by only one
of Hamilton's biographers-Judge
Shea.
About 1884 Mr.. Knox, who was an
Irlshman, established an academy at
st. George in New Castle county. Dell
aware. He afterwards became Pres
'ibyterlan Clergyman and settled on the
Island of st. Croix. Knox had been
accustomed to meet with some gay
companions on Saturday nights. One
might ono of them called on him for a
sermon. He repeated in substance u
sermon he hau heard on the previous
Sunday. initiating the voice aud man.
..llNt VI JIG pltd'IudIs liD ntAo 81 ullbUJ
ed that he afterwards entered the
ministry.
Knox met Halilton In the West
indies where tho yoUng mau was en-.
gagged in mercantile life. In l71U
Hamilton went to Boston, thence TO
Troy, thence to Eiizaheth, N. j.. where
he became n member OF the family OF
!. William LivluEs on. His llrst lessons
were received at the discussions of
b the difficulties between the mother
country and America. His IDEAS on
protection to American industries
were here developed
Iii 1I74 n war cloud was gathering II
elthe sky. His early wish was for war
Tho influence OF Hamilton over Wash
i linRton was perhaps greater thar
either knew. Hamilton has been do
Iscribed as slight In stature, but full
Iof life. The best picture of him Is in
, New Haven. 1t shows the SURRENDER
) of CORVALLIS to Washington. Hamll-
s|ton heing in his uniform.
| More than three score years and ten
! have passed since the DEATH of Hamil.
ton. Men then thought his death un,
Timely. But history viii not show it.
lie had laid the foundation broad aud
! deep of government for the people
the frame of which was adjustable to
, their needs.
After the lecture vote of thanks
was rendered to Judge Shea. The visi
. tors then inspected the interesting and
valuable collection belonging TO the
society. --..".