The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-24
Then and Now.

I'm a recent issue of The Nirginan mention was
made OF a certain conversation between President
washington and Thomas Jefferson. member Of his
cabinet. The President took hopeful view OF the
Situation, but Mr. Jefferson gloomy and pess-
mystic. The conversation took place in October,
1872. Mr.. Jefferson had informed the President
that the people desired him to stand for another
term. Then" Mr. Jefferson relates, the Presi-
dent expressed his concern at the difference which
he found to suhsst between the Secretary of the
I Treasury and myself, OF which he said he had not
been aware. He knew indeed, that there was
marked difference in political sentiments, but
he had neNer suspected Had gone 50 far in pro-
ducing personal difference and he wished he could
\ be mediator and put end to ii. That he thought
ut important 10 preserve the check OF my opinions
81 in the administration IN order to keep things in
their Noper channel and prevent them from going
too fars That as to the idea of transforming this
government into monarchy, he did not believe
there were men in the United States whose
opinions were worth attention, who entertained
such thought | told him there were many more
than he imagined. | recalled to his memory a
dispute at his table little before we left
philadelphia between General Schuyler on the one
side and Pnckney and myself on the other, wherein
the former maintained the position that hereditary
descent was likely to produce good magistrates
as election. | told him that though the people
were sound, there numerous sects who had
monarchy in contemplation: that the Secretary OF
the Treasury was one of these. That had heard
him say that this Constitution was a shilly shay
thing, OF mere milk and water which could not
last, and was only good a step to something
better That when reflected that he had en-
deasored i'll the convention, to make English
Constitution out of it, and when failing in that, we
all his measures tending TO bring it the
thing. it natural for us be jealous: and par
ticuiarly when saw that these measures had es-
tabshed corruption in the legislature where there
was squadron devoted to the nod o! the Treasury,
doing whatever he had directed and ready to do
what he should direct That if the equilibrium of
the three great bodies, legislative executive and
judiciary could be preserved if the legislature could
be kept independent. should never fear the result
OF such government: but that could not but be
uneasy, when | that the executive had swal-
Iowed UP the legislative branch
The President did not seem to share Mr. Ieffer-
sons ALAN thern but in February of the following
year he too, had blue fit He expressed his salts
faction that MIR. Jefferson had decided not to retire
from the cabinet, and his apprehensons that Mr..
4 Jeffersons retirement would be a new source of
economies To- the public He said that Governor
Lee had that day informed him OF the general dis
scontent prevailing in Virginia of which he had never
had any eorcepton--that it appeared to him very
alarming
And yet that "shiIly shaly thing" known as the
Aonstituton, has stood for more than hundred
years and Is stronger today than ever. There has
been much talk Of monarchy. Federal usurpation
GENERALIZATION and all that but the Republic is still
4 herr and is in no immediate danger we believe OF
asdissoiving. Later in his career, MIR jefferson
xiereiDped firmer faith in the American people and
zktmc has shown that it well founded