The Ordway new era., 1913-11-07

the southern men would consent to
vote for the assumption OF the state
debts II the northern members would
The suggestion came as II upon the
thought of the moment. at a chance
meeting on the street, as the .wo men
walked and talked Of matters OF the
day; but 1t was very eloquently
urged. Mr.. Jefferson declared he was
really a stranger to the whole sub
1ect," but would be glad to lend what
aid he could Would not Mr.. Hamilton
dine with him the next day. to meet
and confer with few OF the southern
members? In the genial air of the
dinner-table the whole difficulty was
talked away. Two OF the diners agreed
to vote for the assumption of the state
debts II Mr.. Hamilton could-secure
majority for capital-on the Potomac:
and congress presently. ratified the
bargain.
There was not little astonishment
At the sudden clearing of the skies.
The waters did not go down at once:
hints of a scandal and OF the ship
wreck Of fair name or two went
about the town and spread to the
country. But congress had come out
OF Its angry tangle Of factions. calm
had returned to the government. and
Hamilton's plan stood finished and
complete. He had nationalized the
government as he wished.
Jefferson 10 chasrIned.
! 1t was this fact that most struck
the eye of Jefferson when he had set.
tied to his work and had come to see
Affairs steadily and as whole at the
seat Of government. He saw Hamil
ton supreme in the cabinet and in leg.
islation-not because either the presi.
dent or congress was weak. but be-
new field, and both congress and the
president had accepted his leadership
1t chagrined Jefferson deeply to see
that he had himself assisted at Ham
ilton's triumph. had himself made II
complete. indeed. He could not easily
brook successful rivalry In leadership;
must have expected to find himself.
not Hamilton, preferred in the coun.
sells Of Virginia president: was be-
yond measure dismayed to see the
administration already in the hands.
turned OF thirty-three. He began ere
long to declare that he had been
.most ignorantly and innocently made
to hold the candle to the sharp work
of the secretary of the treasury. hav.
ing been "a stranger to the circum.
stances" But 1t was not the circum
stances Of which he had been ignorant:
It was the effect of what he had done
upon his own wish to play the chief
role in the new government.
When he came to calm scrutiny
Of the matter. he did not like the as
sumption'o Of the state debts. and, what
was more serious for man Of politi-
cal ambition, 1t was bitterly distaste
full to the very men from whom he
must look to draw following when
parties should form. He felt that he
had been trlcked; he knew that he
had been outrun In the race for lead
ership.
What he did not understand or
place and. purpose Of Washington In
the government. Hamilton had been
Washington's aide and confidant when
lad Of twenty. and knew in what way
those must rule who served under
such a chief. He knew that Wash.
ington must first be convinced and
won; did not for moment doubt that
the president held the reins and was
master; was aware that his own plans
had prospered both In the making and
In the adoption because the purpose
they spoke was the purpose Washing
ton most cherished. Washington had
adopted the fiscal measures as his
own; Hamilton's strength consisted In
having his confidence and support.
Washington and Jefferson.
Jefferson had slowly to discover
that leadership in the cabinet was to
be had, not by winning a majority Of
the counsellors who sat in it. but by
winning Washington. That masterful
man asked counsel upon every ques-
ton Of consequence. but took none
his own Judgment did not approve
He had chosen Hamilton because he
knew his views, Jefferson only be-
cause he knew his influence, ability.
and experience in affairs. When he
did test Jefferson's views he found
them less to his liking than he had ex-
pected.
CTo BE coNTINUED)