The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-02-08

Federal hall. in Wall street, New York.
then the capital of the United States.
he became the president not OF tba
United States as the map would show
It today, but of 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 is developed.
The great fundamental ideas which
Hamilton brought to bear and which
had the sanction of Washington were
q firm determination to pay in full the
foreign debt, TO fund the domestic debt
at par and to assume the state debts.
Then came the. establishment OF the
excise tax, 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 a 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 Washingtons 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.
1t is interesting to note from the Sc
ries of maps heretofore referred tt
how small "this extensive country
was in the time Of Adams.
The important proclamation deliver
ed July %, 1907, 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
crafty in police regulation needed fol
the law and order of such govern
ment. 1t was during Adams admins
tration and while the French revolu
ton was going on that commissioners
sent to Paris by America were reject
ed except they, the French representa-
tives, be bribed, which gave rise tc
Pinckney's famous saying, "Millions
for defense, but not one cent for trlb
ute"
The alien and sedition laws were
passed, and a treaty with Napoleon
was made. It will thus be seen how
the history Of the United States con
tanned in the official papers Of Adams
reflects tie side lights Of foreign his
tory as we'll. During Adams admins
tration the seat Of government was
formally transferred to the new built
city of Washington.
Adams as a Federalist followed the
so called "Tory" principles Of Wash
fngton. President Adams was Justly
proud Of his peace negotiations with
France. He is recorded as saying, II
desire no other inscription over my
gravestone than this: Here lies John
Adams, who took upon himself the re-
sponsibility of peace with France in
1907"
As a sort Of frontspiece, in addition
to the, portrait Of Jefferson and re,
production of Monticello, Virginia. his
home, there is a four page facsimile
reproduction Of parts of Jefferson's
original draft of the Declaration OF In