The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-06-07
Alexander Hamilton.

Alexander Hamilton was not an
American. He was West Indian.
a subject OF Great Britain. But
what American would not resent it
as deep national insult, that any
other nation should lay claim to this
their adopted son? Did | say be
was not an American? Nay, no
more true American than he ever
lived or ever wiz live though he has
innumerable American born ances-
tors behind him. American, FOR he
largely made America, he lived Cor
her, worked for her, and died for
her. At his death the bells in every
city Of the United States tolled, and
the whole country was in mourning;
for his death was a national calami
ty.
On the island of Nevis in the West
Indies on the eleventh of January,
1757. Alexander Hamilton was born,
He was sent to school at the age of
tour. By his brightness and intel
ligence he won the affection and ae-
miration of all people, even of his
uncles and aunts.
When he was five years old, his
fs Their on account of bankruptcy,
was compelled to send his wife and
son to live with her relatives. Alex
ander studied under a private tutor
who took much interest in him.
Already he promised to become
great for he took such interest in
his studies aud showed at this early
age remarkable ability and under
standing At the age Of eleven
when his mother died, still continu-
ing his studies, he became clerk in a
counting house for be would no long
err live on the charity OF his rela-
tives.
He dix: rot like his position. His
ambitions were higher He hated
the island. There there were no
means or hopes of progress for a
fiery youth who felt that he was or
dained for some important work.
He spoke much of his great desire
to go 10 college. His only am oition
at the present was to learn first all
thatEschools could teach him, and
then to lead armies.r- Once after a
terrible hurricane had swept over
the island be wrote such vivid
description Of it and it's effects that
thes, Governors attention was at
tracted to the boys genius. He in
duced Alexander S relatives to send
him to America to college,
After short preparation he en-
teredLKing's college in 1873 at the
age of Is. The wonderful youth
was introduced to the chief politi-
clans of thetday. He spent many
of ibis spare moments with them,
and he became a great favorite
among them for they admired his
brilliance and intelligence. Through
this intercourse he became Interest.
ed in the question of the liberty q
the colonies. When at the end of (,
year he saw that the colonies were
in the right nothing could diminish
his hatred of England. He had
studied the affair from the stamp
act to the tea party. He saw the
coonists treated as incapables and
slaves by Britain, ard from that
time nothing could check his ambl-
ton 10 save and serve the colonies.
He read books anG Joined a debating
club in order to obtain knowledge
and experience for future use in the
defense of his adopted country.
But Hamilton saw that the only
reed OF the colonies was net noefty
He saw that in order to be able tc
carry out and win in the struggle
TOR freedom they needed money.
He studied the financial conditions
OF the country. He sent il report
to Robert Morris, the secretary O
the colonies, suggesting full plan
for betterment. He issued tracts
in vindication of the acts of Con
gress and in vindication of The
coIonis. He a boy in college, a new
conner in the country, gave speeches
that stirred the people to the depths
of their hearts. He convinced al
that listened except the extreme
Royalists.
During his college career he made
the following oath to his comrades