The National tribune., 1900-09-20

When Washington was elected there
existed nc party hostility. His popularity
won the support of all.
When the time came for the selection
of his Cabinet he drew his men from
both parties, which was considered the
right mode of action. ITO the victor be-
longs the spoils" had not become the Ma
tional shiboleth. As new conditions and
new issues came up and new measures
had to be advanced by the Government,
the anti-Federalists organized, and a new
party sprang into existence in opposition
to the party in power.
The New Nation was fairly started on
its way; the Constitution was working sat
isfactorily; the laws which Congress had
passed were respected, the Federalists
carrying their measures by small maj or-
tiles. There was a call on the States for
revenue, which was honored. Washing
ton did not fail in his messages to show
the growing prosperity of the country,
the progress of public credit, and the
increase of National responsibility and
credit and the respect it was beginning to
excite abroad. There were honest differ
ences of opinion. The great leaders of
both parties had their following. Wash
ington, Adams and Hamilton were the
leaders of the Federal party, and the
strong allies of the Constitution.
Several of the friends of the Constitu-
ton who were instrumental in its prep
aration joined with those who We're OPP
posed to the Administration. While the
prosperous condition of affairs under the
Constitution modified the views of the
Anti-Federalists somewhat, yet men like
Madison, of Virginia, became leaders of
the Anti-Federalists. Thomas jefferson,
who had been Minister to France. TO sue
coed DIR. Franklin, since March, 1885,
upon his return in November, 1885, re-
ceived his appointment as Secretary of
State and became the first Secretary I'M
der the Constitution. 1t was several
years after this that Jefferson arrayed
himself with those opposed to centralized
power in the Nation.
The Secretary of State was considered
the chief Office in the gift of the Presi-
dent. Alexander Hamilton, of New York,
who was Washington's Aid-de-Camp and
confidential military secretary, and who
remained with the army until the British
surrender at Yorktown, was made Sec
rotary of the Treasury. Henry Knox, of
Massachusetts, who was active in all the
principal battles OF the Revolution, and
took possession Of New York when the
British evacuated in 1888, was appointed
Secretary of War. Edmund Randolph of
Virginia, who had been member of the
constitutional Convention, was appointed
Attorney General.
There was no Secretary of the Navy
until John Adams's term. eight years
later. John Jay, OF New York, was made
the first Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court. Probably no ADLER Cabinet was
ever formed than that that Washington
chose for his advisers.
The first session OF Congress, held in
New York, lasted nearly six months. 1t
adjourned Sept. %, 1889, to convene the
first Monday in January. The second
session of Congress WAS largely occupied
in the discussion of the able and far
reaching reports of Alexander Hamilton.
1t is conceded today that the adoption OF
shese reports worked toward the great
advancement of the Governments inter
ests in building up the credit of the Ma,
ton, and in starting and promoting its
industries.
Alexander Hamilton was the author OF
the protective system. He also recon-
mended the assumption Of the State wal
debts by the National Government. As
will be remembered, his agreement with
jefferson was that if this could be car
ried in Congress he would pledge votes
enough to carry the United States Cap,
ital to the Potomac. Both fulfilled Their
pledges, and rupture in the new Fed
Grafton at that day was avoided. Hamil
ton also provided for a system of rev
enue from the collection of duties on i'm
ports and internal excise. The wisdom
OF his advocacy of protective tariff foI
revenue and the encouragement of man.
ufaetures, that duties be laid on goods
and merchandise imported, is plainly man
lfest by the great object lesson this coun-
try presents today through its industries
and manufactures that lead the world.
The third Congress of the United
States sat in Independence Hail, at 9th
and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia. Here
In the Hall where the patriots of &c had
sat when on that glorious 4th of July