The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-09-27

the administration and were peryaded by
sympathy which was hostile to England,
whose attitude was at least discourteous,
sought to restrict the interference of the
central Government with the States and
allow full play to the sentiment of State
independence and of local and personal
Independence as well.
Both parties were strongly attached to
the new Republic-that is, to the ideas in
volyed in contradiction to a monarchy !;
but jefferson had faith in the masses. In
fact, Jefferson went SO far, not only to be
the representative of democracy, but of a
freedom, with very little Government. He
held that the people were sure to go right,
and could be trusted to keep the peace
without authority, and the best policy
would be to interfere with them as little
as possible, and arguing that authority
was tyranny; community interfered with
as little as possible by any external pow.
er comes nearest to the ideal of a truly
free people.
Mr.. Bryce says that "the salient feature
of the Constitution is the effort it makes
to establish an equipoise between the force
which would carry the planet States off
into space, and the force which would
draw them into the sun of the National
Government" There have always, there
fore, been minds inclined to take sides up
on this fundamental question, and a par
ty has always had something definite and
weighty to appeal to when it claims to
represent either the autonomy of commu-
mites on the one hand, or the majesty and
benehcent activity of the National Govern
ment on the other. The former had been
the watchword of the Democratic party,
the latter was seldom distinctly avowed,
but was generally, in fact, represented by
the Federalists Of the first period, the
Wings of the second, the Republicans Of
the third.
1t is readily seen that two parties grew
out of these conflicting ideas, each with
leaders, projects, sympathies and bitter
nesses Of feeling which at times ran high;
no one escaped. Washington was some
times called the Stepfather of his coun-
try" by the opposite party.
When John Adams stepped into the
front rank of his party, Jefferson natur.
ally became the leader of the Democratic
party. The election was very close.
Adams had one vote to spare and Jeffer-
son fell three short. Adams was there
fore President and Jefferson Vice-Presi,
dent.
On the day of President Adams inaugu.
ration there was a notable gathering in
the chambers of the House of Represen,
tatiyes. 1t was an occasion notable in
many ways. Washington was among
those who participated also Jefferson. Ii
was the last inaugural ceremony in the
Old State House. 1t was the last time
Washington and Jefferson ever met ant
1t was the last inaugural that placed q
Federalist in the Presidential chair.
President-elect Adams was escorted e
the room by the heads of Departments
and the Marshal of the District of Penn
sylvania. When Mr.. Adams entered the
hall there was great demonstration of pop
ular approval. lie was conducted to the
Speakers chair. The oath of Office wa!
administered by Chief Justice Ellsworth
Adams read his Inaugural address with
great dignity, andtook the occasion TO con
tradict with telling effect the assertion that
had been been made by the opposite par
~ OF his preference for a monarchy.
After his address was ended he salutec
his friends, bowed to the assembly and re
tired, and thus ended the last of the in
augural ceremonies held in Philadelphia
for during Adams's Administration tn,
seat OF Government was moved to Wash
ington. Mr. Adamss Cabinet was Il re
appointment Of that of Washington.
The Navy Department was organized
April 30, 1913. The first Secretary of tn,
Navy was George Cabot, of Massachu
sets, appointed May 3, 1898. The French
Revolution had now reached its apex, ant
our people We're divided in their sympath
les. Adams found that he would have I,
arm for neutrality, TO be ready for the ae
eresSion of either of the opposing forces
This is the first we had known of EARNED
neutrality" Every preparation was made
for defending our rights. France de