Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-06-12
SENATOR McLAURlN ON DEMOCRACY.
He Coos Back TO tho Origin OF the Govern.
ment and Summarizes History Of Parties.
The following correspondence OK
plains itself:

The following correspondence OK
plains itself:
Florence, S. c., June 3, 1901.
Hon. John l.. McLaurin, Benefits
vile, S. C.-Dear Sir: / have taken
great interest in the political out
look, and as a matter of instruction
ask that you differcntiate between
your views and the views held by
leading Republicans. Most of us
see no difference, but perhaps you
can show some difference if so,
please do it, as | am not inclined to
condemn you without hearing.
Yours truly, w. +. Clayton.
Bennettsville, S. c., June4, 1901.
Mr.. w. f. Clayton, Florence,
S. C.-Dear Sir: In your letter of
June 3 you ask me "to differcntiate
between my views and the views of
leading Republicans, as most of us
see no difference" l am very busy
at this time, but will dictate few
thoughts as they occur to me in
reply to your question. do this
with the more pleasure because you
have been opposed to me politically,
but show desire to seek the truth.
At the time of the adoption of the
United States Constitution there
were several distinct plans of govern
ment proposed. OF these plans the
fight was made upon two; the
IIamiltonian idea and the Jeffer-
sonian idea. Alexander Hamilton
openly maintained that the British
Constitution was the most perfect
instrument Of its kind ever in exist
ence. He wanted all laws for the
government of the States to be
passed by the Congress of the United
States. lie wanted the President of
the United States and the Senators
to hold office during good behavior.
He wanted the Governors of the
States appointed by the President
of the United States and he wanted
the Federal government to assume
the debts of the State. lie wanted
n strong Senate and weak House
of Representatives, and openly pro-
claimed his belief that the people
were incapable Of f-governmcnt.
John Jay was sent as minister to
England in order to make q com
mercial treaty, which would have
placed our commerce under the
control of Great Britain. The
llamiltonian idea was SO far carried
out that he succeeded in preventing
the incorporation of bill of rights
in the Federal Constitution. Under
his leadership the Congress imposed
tho excise tax, which made tho rich
escape the burdens of taxation and
placed these burdens upon the poor.
This brought about the revolution in
Pennsylvania and came very near
dlsrupting the new Republic.
Thomas Jefferson forced the bill Of
rights into the Constitution as an
amendment. As minister to France
he succeeded in defeating the pur-
poses of the Jay treaty with Eng
land. Hamilton favored and Jeffcr-
son opposed the granting of monopo-
lies, the establishing Of a United
States bank and the assumption of
the State debts by the Federal gov
crnmcnt. Associated with Jcffer-
son was Madison, Monroe, Samuel
Adams, A!hcr: Gallatin, George
Clinton and Benjamin Franklin.
Associated with Hamilton were
John Marshall, John Jay, John
Adams and Pinckncy. The Demo
cratic party has been in continuous
existence ever since the adoption Of
the Constitution, while the Federal
party, of which the Republicans are
the successors, has passed through a
number Of changes. The Federal
party, at first successful, finally com
mittcd suicide by carrying their
dostrinc Of n centralized government
so far as to pass the alien and sedi-
ton law. Under this law the Prcsi-
dent was authorized upon his own
volition to expcl from the country
any alien whom he might suspect az
dangerous to the peace and liberty
OF the country, etc. This radical
measure created powerful reaction.
The Democrats then remained in
power almost without interruption