The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-01-27

full to the very men from whom ne
must look to draw following when
parties should form. He felt that he
had been triched; he knew that he
had been outrun in the race for lead
ership.
What he did not understand or
| know how to reckon with was the
place and purpose of Washington in
the government. Hamilton had been
Washington's aide and confidant when
| a 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.
He had taken Jefferson direct from
France, where for five years he had been
watching revolution come on apace,
hurried from stage to stage, not by
statesmen who were masters in the
art and practice of freedom, like
those who had presided in the coun-
sells of America, but by demagogues
and philosophers rather; and the sub
tie air of that age of change had crept
into the mans thought. He had come
back a philosophical radical rather
than a statesman. He had yet to
learn, in the practical air of America,
what plain and steady policy must
serve him to win hard-headed men to
| to his following; and Washington
found him guide who needed watch
ing.
Foreign affairs, over which it was
Jefferson's duty to preside, began of
a sudden to turn upon the politics of
France, where Jefferson's thought was
so much engaged. The year 1889, in
which America gained self-possession
and set up government soberly plan
ned to last, was the year in which
France lost self-possession and set out
upon wild quest for liberty which
was to cost her both her traditional
polity and all the hopes she had of
new one. In that year broke the
storm of the French revolution.
1t was a dangerous infection that
went abroad from France in those first
days of her ardor, and nowhere was
it more likely to spread than in Amer
lea.
But Washington's vision in affairs
! was not obscured. He had not led
revolutionary armies without learn
ing what revolution meant "The, rev.
orution which has been effected in
France" he said, '1s of so wonderful
a nature that man can hardly real
lie the fact'-his calm tones ringing
strangely amidst the enthusiastic cries
OF the time. 81 fear, though it has
gone triumphantly through the first
paroxysm, it is not the last it has to-
encounter before matters are finally
settled. The revolution is of too
great magnitude to be effected in so
short a space and with the loss of SO
little blood"
He hoped, but did not believe, that
it would run it's course without fatal
disorders; and he meant, in any case,
to keep America from the infection.
She was herself but Gin a GONZALES
cent state" as he said, after her own
struggle. She was too observant still,
moreover, of European politics and
opinion, like a province rather than
like a nation-inclined to take sides
as If she were still child of the Eu-
ropean family, who had flung away
from her mother England to cling in
| pique to an ancient foe.
Washington's first and almost single
object. at every point of policy, was to
make Of the provincial states Of the
Union q veritable nation, independent,
at any rate, and ready to be great
when its growth should come, and its
self-knowledge. Every true friend
to this country" he said, at last must
see and feel that the policy of it is
not to ernbroil ourselves with. any ma
ton whatever, but to avoid their dis
putes and their politics, and, if they
will harass one another, to avail our
selves of the neutral conduct we have
adopted. Twenty years peace, with
such an increase of population and re-
sources as we have right to expect,
added to our remote situation from the
jarring powers, will in all probability
enable US, in just cause, to bid de-
f1ance to any power on EARTH and
such were his thought and purpose
from the first.
Il want an American character" he
cried, "taat the powers of Europe