The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-08-15

the southern men would conseat to
vote for the assumption Of the state
debts II the northern members would ;
vote for capital on the Potomacz
The suggestion came as IL upon the
thought OF the moment, at chance
meeting on the street, as the two men
walked aud talked OF matters OF the
| day; but It was very eloquently
urged. Mr. Jefferson declared he was
really stranger to the whole sub
Jet" 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 il Mr.. Hamilton could secure
majority for a 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;
hints Of 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 nationaIized the
government as he wished
jefferson ls chagrined.
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 HamiI-
! ton supreme in the cabinet and in leg
islation-not because either the presi-
Ldent or congress was weak, but be
cause Hamilton was master in his
: 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 it
: complete, indeed He could not easily
brook successful rivalry in leadership:
must have expected 10 ind himself
not Hamilton, preferred in the coun.
sells of a Virginia president; was be
7 yond measure dismayed to see the
! administration already in the hands
: as 1t seemed. of a man just two months
: turned of thirty-three. He began ere
! long to declare that he had beer
: most ignorantly and innocentIy made
to hold the candle" to the sharp worE
: OF the secretary Of the treasury, nav
: ing been "a stranger to the cfrcum
! stances" But it was not the circUm
stances of which he had been ignorant
it was the effect of what he had dons
! upon his own wish to play the chic
role in the new government
! When he came to calm scrutin!
of the matter. he did not like the as
sumption of the state debts. and. wha
! was more serious for a man of poIiti
cal ambition. it was bitterly distaste
!. fuI to the very men from whom h,
. must look 10 draw following whel
I parties should form. He felt that b
! had been tFieked; he knew that b.
i had been outrun in the race for lead
! ership.
: What he did not understand o.
' know how to reckon with was tn
! place and purpose OF Washington il
; the government Hamilton had beef
/ Washington's aide and confidant whel
3 q lad of twenty, and knew in what wa,
i those must rule who served unde
d such a chief He knew that Wash
d ington must first be convinced an,
won; did not for moment doubt tina
the president held the reins and wa
I master: was aware that his own plan
e had prospered both in the making an,
{; in the adoption because the purpos
> they spoke was the purpose Washing
+; ton most cherished. Washington hal
3 adopted the fiscal measures as nj
Il own; HamiIton's strength consisted il
It having his confidence and support
> Washington and jefferson.
\ Jefferson had slowly to discove
2 that leadership in the cabinet was t
Q be had. not by winning a majority Q
D the councillors who sat in it. but b
: winning Washington. That masterfu
: man asked counsel upon every cues
y ton of consequence. but took non
= his own Judgment did not approve
: He had chosen Hamilton because h
! knew his views, Jefferson only b
cause he knew his influence. ability
and experience in affairs When h
y did test Jefferson's views he foun
: them less to his liking than he had e.
pected,
q ITO BE cONTTNUEpl