The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-05
CHAPTER vi.


contained SO large proportion of men
of supreme ability-not even the famous
war cabinet of the immortal Lincoln.
The presidents official household has
considerably increased in numbers since
that day, but even in the larger groups
no two men have ever been found in one
cabinet who could compare In intellectual
greatness with the two who held the
leading places in the cabinet of the first
president. Every administration has had
able men at the head of executive de-
partments, but ability and greatness are
not identical. In Washingtons political
family were two creative very great
men. For full century Hamilton and
Jefferson have been names to conjure
with. During all this period the two
leading political parties, by whatever
names they have been called have re-
ferred back to these two men as the ora
cles of their faith.
Washington could not have had two
stars of such magnitude in the constella-
ton that surrounded him had he been
a less patriotic and liberal-minGed per-
son. For we must remember that, al
though political parties had not yet been
organized in America, the people were
already dividing on definite political-{fnes.
Washington, DESTROYS of being president
of the whole nation. chose men of various
ideas as his advisers.
The supremest Statesman
Jefferson, more than any other man in
our history, disputes with Hamilton the
right to be regarded as the supremest
statesman America has produced. Two
men more unlike In almost all particu-
lars it would not be easy to find. Jeffer-
son was a Southern planter, owning
after his marriage, more than 10000 acres
of land and more than $50 slaves, yet he
was in opinions a Democrat, believing
in the education of the masses and in
universal suffrage. Hamilton, on the
other hand, was early thrown upon his
own resources for support, yet he was an
aristocrat in tastes and in sympathies
He cared less for the education of the
people than he did for the supremacy of
those who had been educated Jefferson
had wealth, but he cared less for riches
than for men,. Hamilton never had
riches. yet, like all leaders of his politi-
cal school, he had great consideration
for property and believed property should
be large factor in the control of gov
eminent. And, verify, both had their re-
ward Hamilton was popular with the
rich, the learned, the powerful, and
with them alone. He was too exclusive
to be favorite with the multitudes. JEFF
ferson was loved by the common people,
and almost as matter of course, when
the time came, they chose him as the
peoples president. Even in person they
We're unlike. Hamilton was small in stat
ure, swarthy of complexion, reserved in
manner: Jefferson was 6 feet 2 in his
stockings, had red hair and was ap-
proaehable by all.
When the Revolutionary struggle came
on Jefferson was in the vigor of young
manhood, and had already gained repu-
tation as an ardent patriot and as a
facile and vigorous writer. We cannot
attempt to follow him through the details
of his career. The most we can hope is
to set forth some Of the characteristic
work which he performed during his
public life
Opposed to Separation.
Jefferson, like most thoughtful men of
his time, did not at first desire separa-
ton from England. He was forced to
take the stand for independence by the
continued aggressions of the mother
country and by the ultimate conclusion
that there could be no comfort so
long as the colonies were in subsection.
But when he had once put his hand to
the plow he never thought Of turning
back In 1775 he wrote: "There is not in
the British empire a man who more cor
than I do. But by the God that made
me will cease to exist before yield to
connection on such terms as the Brit
ish parliament proposes" In the same
year he became delegate from Virginia
to the Second Continental congress and
heard his eloquent colleague, Patrick
Henry, make the renowned war speech.
Give me liberty or give me DEATH
But even Patrick Henry was not more
20 Ions IL ~,
On arrival Of the news of Bunker Hill
he was made member of the committee
to draft manifesto, setting forth to the
world the justification of the colonies
Jefferson drew the document with me
own hand, and he drew 1t In such
vigorous English that the more conserva-
tive and timid members thought best to
revise it, lest the fiery language might
prove unduly irritating to England and
so destroy all chances of Cancellation
As the struggle went on and it became
evident that England was determined to
force the colonies to submission the opin-
lon became stronger and stronger on the
part of the people that their only hope
lay in entire independence. When the
congress came to consider the question
Jefferson was one of the most ardent adj
vccates of liberty. He was not an orator
and it was not as an eloquent speaker
But no man of his time, with the possible
exception of Franklin, welded so trench
ant pen or could so direct the decision
of committee, and it was in these ways
as well as by the face to face contest of
personal intercourse that he made his
opinions felt.
Drafters of Declaration.
When committee was appointed to
draft declaration Jefferson was made
chairman. The other members were
Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman
and Robert Livingston. Was ever g. more
momentous question submitted to the COLI
sjderation of five men? Were there ever
five men gathered in single group more
competent to deal with such question?
The paper itself was written by the prac-
ticed hand of Jefferson.
When the committee reported there was
a long and tedious debate. All seemed
conscious of the significance of the oeca-
son Jefferson himself did not take part
in the discussion, but left the defense of
the document in the competent hands of
John Adams Jefferson said afterward
that the discussion might have run on in
terminably had it not been that the
weather was hot and that the room oc-
cupied by the deputies was hard by a
stable whence the hungry flies swarmed
tHich diu ASiSe, oiiShtino oii Lie 1883 %
the delegates and biting hard through
their silk stockings. Treason was prefer
able to discomfort" Whether Jefferson
humorous account Is the real explanation
or not, the declaration is passed, the
members crowd around the table to affix
their names underneath the bold sigma
'ture Of John Hancock and the old liberty
bell peaIs out its iron music" to the
anxious crowds waiting for the news, and
literally fulfills its prophetic inscription
to proclaim liberty throughout all the
land unto all the inhabitants thereof
The Rubicon was passed. Thenceforth