The age-herald., 1897-09-12

ever Washington set down was undoubs- edly right, so far as he could determine. John Adams, as an author, was quite yoluminous. IL was not to be expected that he would be otherwise. IF Adams had ndt all the ear marks of genius, he at least had its prod gaiity. He pour ed the whole light and treasure Of his Intellect into whichever he grappled with. If he exhausted himself, so much the worse for Hhe next effort. His power of reservation was not marked. What he wrote has a tone of vigor that com marl1s attention and respect, and de- rives its interest from the unusuaa ano rather drama ic surroundings from wh ch it originated That Adams and Wash ington were statesmen there is no ques- tion whatever Their sI altesmanship was not of the kind' MT. Hoar speaks of as r1ow existing but of lthe original. indi- vidual sort thas marks beginnings. Ad- ans had learning, of which he made much display, and 1t is net little re- marka51e that he put it to as good use as he did The currents of the time were too strong to be turned by classicahsm. IF Adams had had nothing better than his book-lore he would have been swept out of sight. The conLemporaneous pow CT of Jefferson is said to have proceed ed from what he wrote, and his fame, we know, largely rests upon 1t. He was variously gifted man, but no speaker. If his authority has now and then been shaken, there has been itde disposition to question his power. Af- ter Jefferson the best political writer Of the republicans was Madison, the only one thought capable of contending with Hamilton. His name is linked with the latter's by his share in the Federagsst, and from it no doubt is given a luster it would not otherwise have.
 The precocity of Hamilton was aston ishing, and the claim that he was the first American statesman has never been oblfterated by the denial of the Jeffersonians. He came upon the scene of disruption a young fellow from Ja- maica with neither the proeliyities of the New Englander nor the slaye-own- er The weight of local or sectional prejudice did not attach to Hamilton. And of all the grsat patriotic spirits of that day he felt less than any other the pressure of environment. His posi- toin was unique. He was absolutely free. The man for the occasion is per- fect1ye exemplifed in Hamilton. The dispatches he wrote while aid to Wash ington, when but a boy in years, have very exceptional maturity of both style and judgment. Washington ap- preciated them and set high value upon the services of young Hamilton. The general and his aid were we'll matched. ftxy ary,, Of +l,a oJd CT man were check and gentle rebuks to the younger. He knew how to han dle him to advantage, and in doing so. displayed considerable tact and shrewd-, ness. It was a good thing for Hamil- ton that he found in Washington so congsnia1 and intelligent master. And it has been a matter of no little contro- versy as to which was the superior mind. Jefferson gave preference to Hamilton f
 After the war came financial and po- litical chaos. The confusion was some. thing extraordinary, and none but a clear and comprehensive head could transform 1t into order. This Hamilton did, chiefly in the cabient. But from the beginning he had no faith whatev- CT in the loose elements of democracy with no center of revolution. There must be, as in astronomy, a point of attraction. Tinctured a little with the principles of the royalist, for in youth his leanings wer5 that way, he could see no hope for the durability of a na- ton composed of states with separate sovereignlties, and pressed the idea of a controlling power to be 1odged in central government. His purpose was effected in the republic and as he was no idealist he readily acquieseed In that. Jefferson undsrvalued his sagacity when he accused him of wanting a king. The answer to that suspicion is that there was nobody to be king It Is asked, Why not anniversaries to Hamilton? He was neither native to the north nor the south-was West Indian from a British island, and this may opsrate in a measure against a show of remem- brance. But he Is deserving of all hon. or that can be given him. He was not as much a man of destiny as a child of destiny.
 Patrick Henry is known as the man of thunderous tone and passion. He it was who first gave his voic5 for civil war; While Henry's utterance about liberty or death has been described as the acme of sublimity, with all possible extravaganza, it very narrowly escapes the ludicrous when it is called to mind that this Titan in a revolution for lib- erty was noted for his shrewdness as a trader in slaves. Like the position of Hamilton, after the war, when the in- terests of the states demanded that an influence somewhat foreign to them selves be exercised for their coalition, that of Henry before the war was unique. The two elements that were wide apart except in one sentiment he united, to do which he brought to bear all the vehemence of his tremendous nature. It is aid slightingly of Henry that the southern heart is easily fired. So it is, but the whole of 1t can not be touched unless the common sentiment be understood. It is doubtful if any, body else could have done just what he did If he came at his appointed tins and did his work let him have the