The Ordway new era., 1913-11-07
InstaIIment 23

~
A chain had been stretched across
he lay, 70 check the noisy traflc that
might have disturbed him more deep
~ In his fever. But the government
had not stood still the while. He had
steadily attended to important mat
tiers as he could. Twas scarcely nec-
sssary he should be out Of bed and
abroad again to make all who handled
affairs feel his mastery; and by the
time the summer was ended that mas
tsry was founded upon knowledge.
The First Cabinet.
BY the end of September t1789)
congress had completed its work Of
Organization and Washington had
drawn his permanent advisers about
him. The federal courts. too. had
been erected and given definitive ju-
risdiction. The new government had
taken distinct shape. and was ready
TO digest its business in detail. Wash.
ington chose Alexander Hamilton to
be secretary OF the treasury. Henry
Knox to be secretary of war. Thomas
Jefferson secretary of state, and Ed
mund Randolph attorney general
young men all, except Jefferson. and
he was but forty-six.
The fate of the government was
certain to turn. nrst of all, upon ques-
lions of finance. II was hopeless pow
srty that had brought the Confedera-
tion into deep disgrace; the new gov
eminent had inherited from 1t nothing
but great debt: and the first test
- ohov rtn 90 ryk1 oh hn IL
IN affairs would be put. whether at
home or abroad. was the test of its
ability to sustain its financial credit
with businesslike thoroughness and
statesmanlike wisdom.
HamIlton's Critical Post.
Alexander Hamilton was only thirty
two years old. He had been . spirited
and capable soldier and an astute and
eloquent advocate; but he had not had
. days experience In the administra-
ton of q great governmental depart
ment, and had never handIed-so far
a. men knew. had never studied
questions of public finance. washing-
ton chose him. nevertheless, without
hesitation, for what must certainly
turn out the most critical post In his
administration. No man saw more
clearly than Washington did how
large . capacity for statesmapship
Hamilton had shown in his mastery
papers In advocacy of the Constitu-
ton. He had known Hamilton. more
over. through all the quick year, that
had brought him from precocious
youth to wise maturity; had read his
letters and felt the singular power
that moved in them: and was ready to
trust him with whatever task he would
consent to sssume.
Henry Knox. that gallant ohicer Of
the Revolution, had been already four
years secretary of war for the Confed-
GRAFTON. In appointing him to the
same office under the new Constitu-
tion, Washington was but retaining
. man whom he loved and to whom
he had for long been accustomed to
look for friendship and counsel.
Jsfferson's Wide Experience,
He chose Thomas Jefferson to handle
the delicate questions Of foreign af.
fairs which must press upon the young
state because. John Adams being vice
president, there was no other man of
equal gifts available who had had SO
large an experience in the field of d.
paomacy. Again and again Jefferson
had been chosen for foreign missions
under the Confederation; he was
American minister to France when
washington's summons called him to
the secretaryship Of state; and he
came of that race of Virginia states
men from whom Washington might
reasonably count upon receiving sup
port touched with personal loyalty.
Richard Henry Lee. Patrick Henry
and George Mason were housekeeping
spirits, and doubted Of the success Of
he new government; but. Jefferson,
though he had looked upon its making
from across the sea. approved, and
was ready to lend his aid to its sue
1sssful establishment.
In appointing Edmund Randolph to |
- attorney general, Washington was
but choosing a brilliant young man
whom he loved out of great family |
Of lawyers who had held sort OF |
primacy at the bar In Virginia ever |
sinee he could remember-a1most ever
since she had been called the Old Do |
nainion. i
Knox was thirty-nine, Edmund Ran
dclph thirty-six; but II Washington
chose young men to be his comrades
and guides in counsel. It was but an
other capital proof of his own mastery
In affairs. Himself natural leader,
he recognized the like gift and capac-
fly in others. even when fortune had
not yet disclosed or brought them to
the test.
Hard to FIJI ofIees.
It was hard, in filling even the great
Or ofnces. to find men of eminence who
were willing to leave the service of
their states or the security and ease
Of private life to try the untrodden
paths Of federal government The
states were old and secure-so men