Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1912-01-23

When Washington was inaugurated
Sept. 80, 1850. on the balcony Of the
Federal hall. in Wall street, New York
then the capital Of the United States.
he became the president not Of the
United States az the map would show
it today, but Of a little segment Of this
great country. most Of which he did
not. during his lifetime, know existed
at all. The portion Of which he was
president is shown In one OF series
of outline maps In the front part Of
volume II. where the evolution OF our
territorial extent IL developed.
The great fundamental ideas which
Hamilton brought to bear and which
had the sanction Of Washington were
a frm determination to pay in full the
foreign debt, to fund tho domestic debt
at par and to assume the state debts.
Then came the establishment of the
excise tar, which was bitterly opposed,
particularly In the state Of Pennsylva-
MIA, declared to be ''esta blished on prin-
ciples subservient Of peace, liberty and
the rights Of citizens and amounted
to what Is known as the whisky insur-
rection. requiring $1,000 militia to put
down. Then there was the beginning
Of the tariff question by the establish
ment OF protective tariff; the first
government coming mint was estab-
lished at Philadelphia: then arose the
still mooted questions Of "strict con-
struction'' or implied powers" Of the
constitution. These were simple days
and yet stirring times. The farseeing
wisdom which prompted Washington
to issue his neutrality proclamation,
arising from the war between England
and France then going on, Is worthy
Of the study Of every school child. The
recall Of the French Minister Genet.
the Jay treaty and the various other
treaty relations with foreign countries
and constant reference to our interna-
tional rights and duties make the pc
rusal Of our own state papers q birds
eye study Of contemporary important
events throughout the world.
The hardships Of pioneering, accom-
panied by constant Indian warfare OF
minor depredations, alluded to here
and there give zest and romance to the
historical story as told by the early
presidents. Vermont, Kentucky and
Tennessee were admitted to the Union
as states during Washington's terms.
The opening paragraph Of the first
inaugural address Of John Adams
sounded a warning that has come
laundering down the century to the
present day
It is interesting to note from the Sc
ries OF maps heretofore referred to
how small this extensive country
was in the time Of Adams.
The important proclamation deliver
ed July %. 1897. by President Adams
relating to foreign and domestic coin
age Is reproduced In facsimile.
One OF the most notable Official acts
Of John Adams was the appointment
Of John Marshall as chief Justice Of
the United States. Marshall's deci
sions fixed an elastic Interpretation Of
the constitution which made possible
the expansion Of territory and lib
erality in police regulation needed fol
the law and order Of such a govern
ment. 1t was during Adams admins
tration and while the French revolu
ton was going on that commissioner
sent to Paris by America were reject
ed except they. the French representa-
tives. be bribed, which gave rise tt
Pinckney's famous saying. "Millions
for defense, but not one cent for trib
ute.''
The alien and sedit1on laws were
passed. and a treaty with Napoleon
was made. 1t viii thus be seen how
the history Of the United States con
| tanned in. the official papers Of Adams
reflects the side lights Of foreign his
| tory as well. During Adams admins
tration the seat Of government was
formally transferred to the new bull
city Of Washington.
Adams as Federalist followed thu
20 called "Tory" principles OF Wash
ington. President Adams was justly
proud Of his peace negotiations with
France. he Is recorded as saying. -
desire no other Inscription over my
gravestone than this: Here lies Johr
Adams. who took upon himself the re
sponsibtlity Of peace with France II
1900"
As sort Of frontispiece, In addition
to the portrait Of Jefferson and a re
production Of Monticello. Virginia. hi,
home. there Is four page fac-simile
| reproduction Of parts Of Jeferson's
original draft Of the Declaration Of In
danondanco