The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-09-07

King, GOuverneur MOTIFS ana Ale1auueI
Misunderstanding together at King 8
These notable three were alarmed a.
the conduct OF our rulers, and think the
constitution Is about to be overturned.
Hamilton and King "apprehenc
bloody anarchy" Morris thinks that the
constitution has already been overtuin-
cd. Anarchy IL about to ensue In whtcp
property will be sacrificed. The only diff
ference between those three New York
PATRIOTS is that King and Hamilton be-
lieve there will be anarchy accompanied
by bloodshed. while Morris thinks that
the ruthless Jeffersonians will be con-
tent with the confscation of houses.
lands. mules, horses. cows. etc.
Indeed, Hamilton was at sea-adrft on
the great ocean without COMPASS or rud-
der. All his fine plans and schemes had
tailed. His party was dead, and q bout
to be buried. He had lost the great
| Washington, who had been his shield.
His own personal and political unpopu-
larity now rested upon him with sitting
weight. He was bankrupt in his finances.
his tortuous intrigues with men and par
ties had raised up agans. him an army
OF venomous enemies. jefferson would
| have nothing to do with him-neither
wanting his support nor fearing his Cp-
any earthly subject and his newspaper
criticisms were treated with the con
tempt they deserved. Passed forever
we're the days when he could dictate the
pcllCleS of cabinets ard control the votes
OF congress. The only possible hope for
hamilton was that the country might
become invol1 ed In war. In that event,
Ills courage end ability would assuedly
have guaranteed him a brilliant career,
provided friendly president was ready
10 give him high appointment. In civil
life he had no outlook whatever A
comfortable law practice, dreary
struggle with debt, and a declising ca
pacity for labor was his prospect
Hamilton had matured early--wonder-
fully so-but his limit of expansion had
soon been reached. and in 1904 he was
certainly not a growing man He had
paid the pena lty of precocty. The de-
cay mad set in ct an age when other
men, not so rapid in early growth, were
still expanding in knowledge and Wis
o0m In politics Hamilton and Eurr had
reached the point where each could
knife the other in New York without
being able to do more Burr could get
no Capitalization barred the way. Ham
fiton could get none-Burr and his own
'npopularty blocked the path.
For many years Hamilton had pur-
sued Burr in letters and private CONVEX
satfon, with every sort Of accuse ton. |
Burrs private remarks were used against |
him; idle reports were repeated and ex- |
aggerated; ard the most injurious sus- |
picions became facts of the jealous. EN- |
Uttered Hamilton. During all the years
the two men were on friendly terms. din
lrg at each others house. their families
m1nE}inP In inf
fact Burr does not seem to have known
how rabid was Hamltons hatred. nor
how offensive his language. When Burr
I'D find 1t ont. when he did realize how
nVeterate naG been Hamilton's hospital |
ty, he resolutey determined to call him
o account.
With Burr's first note in that fatal cor
dependence Hamilton seemed to have
'een suddenly conscious OF his great in
prudence and his great danger. In many
4 his letters against his rival previous
o that list experimentation which
ire half frantic with jealousy. malice
nd treacherous eagerness to deal a |
teaithy stab Hamilton leaves upon the
modern reader the impression that he
vas afraid Of Burr
At all events the correspondence lead
& UP TO the duel does not increase ones
espect for Hamilton. AS John Randolph
ana, the letters Of Hamilton show
opsciousness of inferiority to his antag
mist
ON one side there is labored 0bsclri-
'. much equivocation, and may at !,
7mpts at evasion. not unmixed with :
tile clustering; on the other an IN 7
1aken adherence to his object and an :
ndeviating pursuit of it. not to be eud-
or bafed It reminded me Of sink 4
g fox pressed by q vigorous old hound, Y
here no shift IS permitted to avail :
I'M
When Gouverneur Morris heard the re- s
lit of the duel he FASTENED to the bed y
de Of his dying friend. Hamilton was t
'eeohless. Morris sat by him TIL he c
pired. 1t was a tragic Scene-the dead IL
lsband and father. the frantic wife and
lildren; the grlef-stricken, sympa thiz- a
g friends. Morris was asked to pro o.
ounce the fl neral ora ton This request IT
used some embarrassment to Morris =,
I'd his diary reflects it. He saws that al
e subject is difficult. The first point
his biography is that he was :,
ranger of illesitimate birth; some mode -
nst be contrived to pass this over -,
ndsomely. He was indiscreet. vain and :.
inionated; these things must ba told -
the character will be incomplete III. -
Is IN principle opposed TO republfco, -.
q Attached to monarchical govern ;"
INT lis share in forming our c0nstitu-
n must be mentioned and his unfavor Ut
re OPINION cannot therefore he con -.
aled NC con FL
ne most important part of his nc, Nv
5 MS administration of the finances ~,
9 system he proposed was ra,lio,n, -.
ohg IN one respect; moreover II H., ",
N the subject of some Just ana ut
Just criticism. '" "iuch III
! can neither commit myself to q f,,, :
prevail nor is t prudent to censnra tn
'ers' All must, somehow or otber 49, az
oncied. He was In principle onrosas ~,
dueiins. yet he fell in a duel - la la
y o'"ei e"tffes IN his diary made . les
days later, Morris states tbot H., Of
N mas died insclvent." owing eft,- rec
~ thousand dollars and leavino nro Be
Y which would probably Sell fn,. rt an
usand. 80 A"iy III,
he wife and seven children ..u,tu Gel
destitute; end charitable friana,, In
'antage of the profound n,,h,,a sis
ny 10 set on foot subscription. F." ian
ouVerneur Norris was one of 49, le'
est ana mos honest men of his +;,., los
ersonal and political friend of Al - =
er Hamilton. The estimate 90 ~, -
d man, which was written whe, NJ
was under the softening spell Of DIV. ~.
istahces, most eioquently pleading fo n,
cy to Hamilton, is certainly in SIN 1coo
contrast with the rhapsodies ,,s t.,