The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-06-13
Bennettsville, s. c.. June 4. 1901.

Bennettsville, S. c., June 4. 1901.
Mr.. w. +. Clayton. Florence, S. c.
Dear Sir:-In your letter of June
3rd you ask me Ito differeatiate be-
tween my views and the views Of lead
ing Republicans as most OF US see no
difference | am very busy at this
time, but will dictate a few thoughts
as they occur to me in reply TO your
question. ] do this with the more
pleasure because you have been op-
posed to me politically, but show a de-
sire to seek the truth.
At the time OF the adoption of the
United States constitution there were
several distinct plans OF government
proposed. OF these plans the fight
was made upon two; the Hamiltonian
idea and the Jeffers0nian idea. Alex
ander Hamilton openly maintained
that the British constitution was the
most perfect instrument OF its kind
ever in existence. He wanted al laws
for the government OF the States TO lie
passed by the congress OF the United
States. He wanted the president CT
the United States and the senator's TO
hold office during good behavior. He
wanted the governors Of the States ap-
pointed by the president OF the United
States and he wanted the Federal gov
ernment 10 assume the debts OF the
statutes. He wanted a strong senate
and a weak house Of representatives
and openly proclaimed himself that
that the people were Incapable OF self
government John Jay was sent as min
lister to England in order to make a
commercial treaty which would have
placed our commerce under the con-
troll Of Great Britain. The Hamilton
idea was so far carried out that he
succeeded in preventing the incorpora-
ton OF a bill Of right il the Federal
constitution. Under his leadership the
congress imposed the excise tax which
made the rich escape the burdens OF
taxation and placed those burdens
upon the poor. This brought about the
revolution in Pennsylvania and came
very near disrupting the new republic.
Thomas Jefferson forced the bill OF
rights into the constitution as an
amendment. AS minister to France ne
succeeded in defeating the purpose OF
the Jay Treaty with England. Ham
ilton favored and Jefferson opposed the
granting OF monopolies, the establish
ing of a United States bank. and the
assumption of the State debts by the
Federal government. Associated with
Jefferson were Madison, Monroe, Sam
uel Adams. Albert Gallatin, George
Clinton. and Benjamin FFranklin. AS
sociated with Hamilton were John
Marshall, John Jay, John Adams and
Pinckney. The Democratic party has
been in continuous existence ever since
the adoption of the constitution while
the Federal party Of which the Re
publicans are the successors have pass
ed through a number OF changes. Inc
Federal party. at first successful, nm
allv committed suicide b. carrying
their doctrine of centra!i7cG gov-
ernment so far as to pass the allen ana
sedition laws. Under this law the pres
ident was authorized upon his own
yolition 20 eXDel from the country any
alien whom he might suspect as dan
gerous to the peace and liberty OF the
country. etc, this radlca! measure
created a powerful reaction.
The Democrats then remained III
power. almost without interruption un-
Ill 1860. During this time all the Ter
ritorv acquired by the United States
I'D 10 1898 was secured except the ter
ritory of Alaska. and every foot OF II
was encountered by the vigorous de-
nunciat:on of the Republicans.
During the entire time the Demo-
Gratis were the progressive men. They
held 10 the principle that the pe2p.e
should rule but that the general gov
ernment while keeping taxation at the
lowest rate consistent with good gov
ernment could expend the fund thus
derived for the good Of the whole peo-
ple. In 1856 they favored subSidlzing
the Pacific railroad. About the same
time they started the subsidy to the
Collins line of steamships between the
United States and Easland. Based
upon the pTiciple Of the JsneTson!an
commercial treaty with France. they
had concluded treaties with all the
principal nations and those treaties aEe
still in force. They had built up our
foreign commerce until il excited the
wander and admiration of the entire
world. They had under General jack
son stopped Imprisonment for debt.
Trrv had f2a@ht two sr"1 css'H' F'ar5
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