The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1913-07-11

be assumed by the general govern
ment as the debt of the nation.
No one could doubt that the foreign
debt must be paid in full: to that con-
gress agreed heartily and without hes
itation. But there was much in the
rest of the plan to give prudent men
PAUSE. To pay off the paper OF the
Confederation would be to give to eho
speculators, who had bought it up in
the hope of just such a measure,
gratuity of many times what they had
paid for it. To assume the state debts
would be taken to mean that the
states were bankrupt or delinquent,
that the federal government was to
be their guardian and financial provi-
dence. and that the capital OF the
country must look only to the govern
ment of the nation, not to the govern
ment of the states, for security and
profitable employment. This was ma
tionalizing the government with ven
geance, and was a plain bid, besides,
to win the money class to its support.
Members whose constituencies lay
away from the centers of trade looked
askance at such measures, and
deemed them no better than handing
the government over to the money
lenders of the towns. But holiness
and energy prevailed, as they had pre-
vailed in the adoption Of the Constitu-
ton itself, and both measures were
carried through the houses-the first
oPf q
doubtful struggle-by stratagem and
barter.
Part of Plan Opposed.
Jefferson had been in France when
Washington called him to assume the
headship of foreign affairs at home;
had not reached New York on his re-
turn voyage until December %, 1888;
and did not take his place in Washing
toms council till March 81, 1890. All
of Hamilton's great plan had by that
time passed congress, except the as
sumption of the state debts. Upon
that question crisis had been
reached. 1t had wrought congress to
dangerous heat of feeling. Mem
bers from the south, where trade was
not much astir and financial interests
told for less than local pride and
sharp jealousy of a too great central
power, were set holly against the
measure; most of the northern mem
bers we're as hotly resolved upon it's
adoption.
Mr.. Jefferson must have caught
echoes and rumors of the great debate
as he fingered at Monticello in order
to adjust his private affairs before en-
tering upon his duties in the cabinet.
The measure had been lost at last
in the house by the narrow margin of
two votes. But the minority were in
no humor to submit. They declined to
transact any business at all till they
should be yielded to in this matter.
There were even ugly threats to be
heard that some would withdraw from
congress and force dissolution of the
Union rather than make concessions
upon the one side or the other
Jefferson's Support Won.
It was to this pass that things had
come when Mr. Jefferson reached the
seat of government; and his arrival
gave Hamilton an opportunity to show
how consummate politician he could
be in support of his craftsmanship.
The southern members wanted the
seat of the federal government estab-
lished within their reach, upon the Po-
tomac, where congress might at least
be rid of importunate merchants and
money lenders clamoring at its doors,
and of impracticable Quakers with
their petitions for the abolition of
slavery; and were almost as hot at
their failure to get their will in that
matter as the northern men were to
find themselves defeated upon the
question of the state debts.
Mr.. Jefferson was fresh upon the
field, was strong among the southern
members, was not embroiled or COM
mitted in the quarrel. Hamilton be-
sought him to intervene. The success
of the government was at stake, he
said and Mr. Jefferson could pluck
it out of peril. Might it not be that
the southern men would consent to
vote for the assumption of the state
debts if the northern members would
vote for a capital on the Potomac!
The suggestion came as if upon the
thought of the moment, at a chance
meeting on the street, as the two men
walked and talked of matters of the
day; but it was very eloquently
urged Mr.. Jefferson declared he was
really a stranger to the whole sub
ject," 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 if Mr. Hamilton could secure a
majority for capital on the Potomac;
and congress presently ratified the
bargain.
There was not little establishment
at the sudden clearing of the skies
The waters did not go down at once;