The National tribune., 1900-10-11

The economical views of Jefferson no
longer had the color of the rose, and a
change was inevitable; bills for enlisLing
men and militia were passed, also these
to equip and enlarge the crippled navy. 1t
was on the understanding that Madison
would adopt war policy that he was re-
nominated for second term. A cOnyen-
ton of the opposition, which represented
IL States, was held in New York City
| and nominated Dewitt Clinton for Presi-
| dent and Jared Ingersoll, of Pennsylya-
| MIA, for Vice-President
This was the first National Convention
partisan in character, and the Federalists
have the credit of forming and carrying
| out the idea.
Madison received 12S electoral votes, to
80 for Clinton. Dewitt Clinton was a
| Republican and an influential leader in
his State. He was United States Senator,
Mayor OF New York City, and Governor.
While Governor he proposed the build
ing Of the Erie Canal through New York
/ State, and the Legislature passed the bill
authorizing its construction. There was
great opposition by the other party, who
thought it most visionary undertaking.
The canal was completed in 1875, and was
of incalcnlable benefit commercially and
financially to the State, and especially TO
| the city of New York. This was the be-
ginning of party strife on the great IS
sues of internal improvements" which
was kept up for years.
Everybody became more Or less inter
ested in the approaching war. The policy
| of Jefferson in reducing the army and
| navy and the defenseless position in
which 1t placed the Government, now be-
came a matter of severe criticism and was
the entering wedge to the feuds that fol
| lowed.
| Madison, at last, at the urgent request
! Of Clay, Calhoun and Lowndes, changed
his policy and took strong action against
Great Britain. The act declaring war was
approved by him. A peace party was i'm
mediately formed, and political jealouses
were very great. England sent over 1000
men, who took Washington, burned much
of the city, with all its public buildings.
! This act was done in strict compliance
to orders from England. a second force
was seat to New Orleans, and were de-
feated by Gen. Jackson. Gen. Ross, who
| led the forces on to Washington, was
killed in the battle of North Point. Thus
ended the war, and peace was made in
1918. The extinction of the Federal party
| followed. The signing Of the peace treaty
| for time wrought prosperity and plenty.
And now comes series of changing
| front The next four Congresses contin-
| ued Democratic. President Madison, in
| his message, recommended a revision of
protective tariff was passed Calhoun, of
| South Carolina, supported the bill. In
| looking for reason why he should do this
] in contradiction to former methods we
| find that a protective tariff was popular
in the South, in view of the heavy duties
upon raw cotton, which England then i'm.
posed. Clay then took the stand that pro.
lection for revenue alone was not suffi-
cient, but, with Washington, he saw the
necessity of protection of industries. Ii
| followed that the rates fixed were insult.
| ncient, and American manufactures were
soon destroyed by increased importations
And now comes the anomaly of the Fed
eralists changing their position when they
found the Democrats advocating tariff
! and the Democrats were found reprintinr
and scattering Hamilton's argument in IA.
| vor of tariff. There was n complei.
change Of front on the question by the
different parties. Again, peace brought
another change. President Madison had
restored the bill, Jan. 80, 1915, to re-cs,
tablish the United States bank; but in
| 1916 he was found to be anxious for 4,
National currency. Henry Clay was in
the same position. Clay was also tie an
| thor of bill to promote internal i'm
proyements," which Madison ut first ap-