New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-10
HAMILTON

One hundred years ago tomorrow Alexander
Hamilton fell before the pistol OF Aaron Burr
on the shore OF the Hudson at Weehawken His
early death viii always be remembered as one
CT the great personal agedies of American his
tory. In 1904 Hamilton was in private life
the leader Of a party emphaticaly repudated
by the people, the exponent of principles so I'M
popular that Notwithstanding the universal
grief at his fate, his eulOgist, Gouverneur Nor
rs. felt called upon by his grave TO ask pardon
for some Of his expressions and speculative opin-
ions. He was not, like Lincoln. bearing the
burden Of a nation which felt itself stricken in
his fall. Yet so splendid was his personality, so
pathetic every incident OF the duel from the re-
cording OF his purpose not TO shed his enemy's
blood TO the knightly gentleness and sensibility
and bravery OF his dying hour. that the sorrow
OF his countTymen was scarcely less than that
felt by later generations over the assassination
of President and to his name there still at
tach a romantic interest and charm At this
centennial Of his death many will reteu the
story Of the marvellous boy who still in his
teens, stirred this city by his eIoquence and
tudged across New-Jersey patting his cannon
as If II were favorite pony; of the Invaluable
aid TO Washington; Of the accomplished soldier
the brilliant lawyer, the prophet OF nationality.
the wizard Of finance, the genius whom Taley-
rand called the greatest man OF his epoch since
greatness Of Hamilton IS best of all to be dis
covered In the permanence OF his work and in
the progress Of his ideas.
A century ago all that Hamilton stood for in
craftsmanship seemed to have been swept
away. The government was in the control of
those who painted him as the enemy Of the Re-
public, and their school OF thought was destined
10 be predominant for sixty years. Decentral-
lZing tendencies prevailed and doctrines Of
popular rights which pronounced anarchy bet
ter friend OF civilization than strongly in
trenched governmental authority The nation
was being governed on the theory that # was
not nation. In the great contest between the
two schools of political thought identified with
the names OF Hamilton and jefferson Hamil-
ton had been completely worsted and only n
rash prophet would have predicted a develop
ment Of the American Union other than along
5eifeTsonian lines. Yet Hamilton has tri-
umphed IN spite OF themselves, his opponents
have worked his will.
The essence Of Hamilton's statesmanship WAS
order and nationality. The government which
he thought adequate 10 these purposes he based
indeed, on too narrow a foundation He did not
conceive OF a firm state dependent on the gen.
eral popular voice: but neither did any of his
contemporaries. not even jefferson Universal
suffrage was undreamed of. That was the birth
of tie later Jacksonian wave of democracy we
have broadeDed the foundation of our govern
nleat far beyond anything planned py the radi-
cal Republicans OF 1900; but, nevertheless we
nave built up that government along tbe lines
laid down by Hamilton Next TO Hamilton lief
ferson himself was the first OF HamiItonisns
TIE annexation Of Louisiana transformed