The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-03

XVIIIEN washington was elected
w President in 1882 there were
two political parties In exist
encc. These were the tcderallsts. who
advocated a strong, centralized govern
rneni--some Of the extremists among
them wanted monarch--and The Au-
,!fcderalists, who opposed any Federal
government whatever aud wanted a
continuance of the original league be-
tween thirteen indcpenUrnet republics
Al the time OF his election, two years
after the Constitution was framed, and
about a year after It's adoption, the
iirst President had no; taken sides with
either faction in the political contro-
vcrsies carried on so vigorously by
Alexander Hamilton. John Jay, James
Madison and other leaders
Although General Washington may
not have been aware OF it--SQme of the
chronicles OF the time believed that he
vast was the very snrewdest polit-
teal attitude ne could have assumed. The
feeling between the parties was so bit
tor that the faint.st exhibition of par
tisanship on his part would have robbed
him of a portion Or tho popularity
which made him the one nan on whom
all factions could agree.
That he was II man OF remarkable
political sagacity may be inf 4rred from
with n careful regard to the opposite
opinions of his supporters. The Treas
ury Department was put in care OF
Alexander Hamilton. rampant Fed
eralist, the ablest man of his party.
The conuuct of the state Department
was given to Thomas jefferson. u Wig
orous Antifcdcralisi and lively polit-
ical foe of Hamilton. General II anry
Knox, another F'edcralisi was put In
rl,o af b, ND
mund Randolph an Antifcderalist, was
appointed Attorney General, and John
Jay Il Fcderalist, was male Chief JUS
tee Of the Supreme Court. 1t was
Washington alone, through the uni
yersal confidence in his integrity and
good Judgment who could hold to-
Sether such Cabinet for Il timo and
prevant party contest over the in1trpre-
tation of Federal powers until the
Constitution should prove its merit and
become assured of existence.
1t taxed even the ingenuity of a
Washington to maintain nominal peace
in that Cabinet. In Cabinet meetings
Hamilton and Jefferson were, IN the
1atier's own words. 'pitted against one
another like Gamecocks," TO the great
distress of the President, who probably
forcsaw In their wrangling the newt
able operation OF political repulsions
much longer either In his Cabinet or
IN the country. Whenever he consulted
them. they ranged themselves on OPP
posite sides without the least hesita-
ton. and it required the skill Of n
diplomat and politician of the high
est ability to avoid antagonizinE them
completely.
Public Criticism of Washington.
The first President had his trials,
70 ,,-ft .I,a n,sir W 4,
he signed the unpopular treaty which
John Jay had negotiated with tho Eng
lish. his action raised great storm
OF Indignation throughout the country.
lie was charged by the anti Federaiisis
with usurpation, treason against his
country and hostility to her interests.
lie was accused even OF having shown
incapacity during the revolution and
OF having cmbcZaled the public funds
while President. He was threatened
with Impeachment and assassination.
The honorad epithct once bestowed Oh
him 50 universally was burlcsaued into
The Stepiathcr Of His Country" He
was so tortured by these political cruel
ties that he declared he would rather
be in his grave than in tn. presidency
In less than year there was sucn
n revival of trade that Jays treaty
began 10 be quite popular the ANTI
Federalsts. however. kept up the agi-
tntion for political reasons II .ction
time was approaching. but although
Washingtons hold on The people would
have carried him 10 a third term he
would not permit Il. From his farewell
address TO the American people, il
would seem that lie was an unpart.sau
F:deraist ~ politics, although ne mover
made a nEofes sior'to that effect
John Adams might be termed the
great original American politician"
without too wide a stretch Of the imag-
ination Prior TO the decision Of the
leading man of the colonies TO throw
of the yoks Of tho home government.
1t was the Massachusetts statesmans