Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-25

IT,. MI plished on March A. loVl,
IW @RN when Thomas Jefferson was
I@ inaugurated president of the
- WI United States, with Repup-
@AaAg lican majority in congress
to support him, was in TACT
the beginning of American institutions
as we know them now. Before that
time the constitution was held in light
esteem, the Union was only an expert
ment, many conservatives still hoped
for a monarchY the republican form
of government was not firmly estap-
lished. Already the two schools Oh
Interpretation OF the constitution mad
challenged each other to combat, but
the division had not yet become geo.
graphical.
Thus far the entire political ma
chinery had been in the hands or
certain aristocracy based on birth,
wealth and political traditions. Every
state had it's political families and cir
cles in the highest society," which con-
trolled the opinions of the respective
parties or factions. There was no such
thing as a leader sprung from among
the people.
one wing of the aristocracy became
more and more impatient with the
radicalism of the people, more ana
more disgusted with France and the
French sympathizers, more and more
inclined to return to love OF England
and a reverence for English instltu-
tions. AT the head of TINS 1actioIl was 40
John Adams. who became president in
1897. Another faction of this aristoc-
racy believed firmly in the future OF
the country, hoped to build up It's IN
stitutions, establish its credit ana
make a, great American nation out OF
the thirteen states which were loosely
strung together "as rope OF sahu;
This section hoped to lead the people
In political activity, rather than 70
hermit fhe people to lead them. At
the head of this great throng stood the
great constructive statesman, Alaxan-
der Hamilton.
Yet a third section Of the aristocracy
was afame with self-immolating pas
sion for the masses. Aristocrats soelal,
ly and financially, these men denouhceu
the rule of the upper classes ana ue.
manded that all power OF goVerniilsean'
he vested In the popular majority
"Fural rights for all, special privileges
for none,'' was their rallying cry.
young swells of the rich families
dressed themselves in French fasnloh'
aned the manners of the Revolution.
and. hailed each other as "Cltizen,
abolishing the arlstoeratie title or Mis-
ter" Older men OF the same famines
worshiped philosophy, liberty, fraterni-
tv and equality. 1t was to them the
Age of Reason. At the head of this
branch of the aristocracy was Thomas
jefferson.
THE Federallsts, led by Hamilton and
Adams. firmly and sincerely believed
that Jefferson and his Republicans
would wreck the government, destroy
religion, confiscate property and repeat
in America what the terror had been
In France The Republicans were as
firmly convinced that the Federalists
contemplated the overthrowing of the
republic and the establishment of
monarchy. Each party believing that
the life Of the republic depended upon
its success the battle ragged fiercely.
When Washington left the presidency
the flood of angry political passions so
long restrained by his majestic person
ality burst forth. The Federalists had
possession of congress by narrow mar
gin, and the split between Adams and
Hamilton early manifested itself. JEFF
ferson was the acknowledged leader OF
the Republicans. and Burr was promi-
nent only as supporter OF the great
Virginian.
The Republicans did not sympathize
with the attitude of the administration
toward France and refused TO vote for
the equipment to prosecute a war. The
Republican press sympathized with
France, and many opposition papers
were conducted by foreigners. Where
upon the alien act was passed. giving
the president the right to imprison and
deport aliens practically at will. This
was followed by the sedition act, which
prescribed severe penalties for uttering
or publishing libels upon the govern
ment, the president or officers in au-
thority. This gave the federal courts
jurisdiction over political libel cases,
and brought forth a furious storm of
protest. The federal authorities began
to enforce the law with rigor, and the
whole country was plunged into a ter
rife political battle.
Matthew Lyon, a Republican men,
ber of congress from Vermont, was
imprisoned for publishing a letter ac-
cusing, not directly but by inference,
President Adams OF possessing ian un-
bounded thirst for ridiculous pomp
foolish adulation and selfish avarice.''
Lyon wrote that when he saw an ex-
ecutive possessed of such q thirst he
"would not be his humble advocate"
Rather mild, as things have gone since
that day, but it was enough to put
Lyon in Jail for four months. He was
reelected to congress from Jail and
later went to Kentucky where he was
more certain of a big Republican ma
jority.
The Republicans, of course, attacked
the sedition act as unconstitutional
and as an abridgement of the rights
of free speech and free press. The
Federalists declared it was necessary
to prevent Republican newspapers
from attacking the policy of the gov
ernment as 1t was apparent that Re-
publican success would destroy not
only the government, but religion,
property and everything else worth,
while Jefferson was IAN atheist in re-
ligion and a fanatic in politics" His
followers were Jacobites. The words