The San Francisco call., 1899-12-08

name IS with the constitution, he took
little part In the convention. The vote
or his colleague from his State was
against any effective union. and he him
self. on the other hand, desired a more
aristocratic and consolidated plan than
there was any chance OF getting adopted.
In his one great speech he advocated as
his own ideal a President and Senate for
life and the reduction of the States 70
provinces by making the Governors ap-
pOintees OF the central Government and
by placing I'm them an absolute veto upon
all state legislation. However. unable 10
get what he wanted. like a practical
statesman he took without sulking what
he could get and threw all his marvellous
energy into the contest for ratification.
The debt TO him Is for first securing from
the New York Legislature a most reluct-
ant representation AT Philadelphia at all.
and then for his desperate victory In
the raufying State convention.
Organization Of the Government
The critical questions before the new
and finance. With his instructive insight.
Hamilton had seized upon their coming
Importance even during the Revolution.
and had already studied and written much
upon them. Fifty now Washington called
him TO the head OF the treasury. which
he easily made the leading position
here would be a history OF Washington's
Presidency. The striking figure so Justly
applied TO him-"He smote the rock OF
national resources and abundant streams
OF revenue gushed fOrth"-tells only a
fraction OF the truth. The bewiidsred
Congress. with admirable prOmptitude.
turned TO the great secretary for guidance
and received from him in swift success
sion report after report. from ~hich came
the funding system, the revenue system.
the sinking fund, national banking. the
currency. the first statement OF internal
improvements and for the protective sys-
tenn and a mass OF other legislation In
schools will criticize some OF his views.
but no one will deny that his plans. how
ever faulty. did lift US from the abyss OF
national shame and make US a powerful
and happy people, prosperous at home and
respected abroad.
Later Life.
In 1925, after the long and bitter quarrel
with jefferson. both Secretaries left the
unofficial adviser OF that body. The I'm
minent prospect OF war with France in
l7Ss made him the real commander and
organizer OF the army under the aged
quest OF Louisiana and FlOrida-an indi-
cation OF a faith In our national expansion
point OF sympathy between him and his
rival, Jefferson. The blame for the schism
OF the Federalists which followed the
be shared between Hamilton and ADAM s'
and there were petty follies enough on
both sides. Hamilton redeemed his rare
slip by his wis wise part In helping 20 thwart
the mad Federalist plan OF seating Burr
over Jefferson In 1901. and by casting hts
we!ghty voice against the secession plots
OF the desperate New England leaders In
1904
These were his last public acts Though
seeing no remedy for victorious DemOc-
racy In disunion. he shared to the full the
gloom or his Federalist associates lie
seems TO have confidently ANTICIPATED the
overthrow OF the constitution by the Jef-
fersonians. but TO have looked forward
hopefully 10 civil war 20 restore AZ after
brief democratic anarchy. To keep him
sell availaoie as a military leader and
savior OF society In that struggle was. ap-
pnrently, his reason for accepting Burrs
challenge 10 the duel which ended hts life
at IS years Of age.