2015-01-11 A Year With The Harvard Classics - Hamilton--Father of Wall Street [& Jay]

January 11 - Hamilton--Father of Wall Street [& Jay] Hamilton organized the Treasury Department.  He penned most of the Federalist papers, which were greatly influential in bringing New York into the Union--the firs step toward its eminent psition in national and world finance.  (Alexander Hamilton born Jan. 11, 1757) Read:  "The Federalist," THC, Vol. 43, pp. 199-207.

Click HERE for an online version of The Federalist Papers.

The Harvard Classics here includes the text of The Federalist Papers, 1 and 2.  The first paper, authored by Alexander Hamilton, no. 2 authored by John Jay.  Both papers provide a general introduction to the purpose of the forthcoming series arguing for the radification of newly penned Constitution.

What is perhaps most worth remembering about these introductory remarks to the series of papers is the faith that is placed in the public to wrestle with and weigh for themselves the consequences of a united or divided Union.  Of particular note the words below bespeak such faith and desire.

Admit, for so is the fact, that this plan is only RECOMMENDED, not imposed, yet let it be remembered that it is neither recommended to BLIND approbation, nor to BLIND reprobation; but to that sedate and candid consideration which the magnitude and importance of the subject demand, and which it certainly ought to receive. But this (as was remarked in the foregoing number of this paper) is more to be wished than expected, that it may be so considered and examined. Experience on a former occasion teaches us not to be too sanguine in such hopes. It is not yet forgotten that well-grounded apprehensions of imminent danger induced the people of America to form the memorable Congress of 1774.

(John Jay, The Federalist Papers, #2)

Could we please return to this ethic?  Could we imagine a time when we might be given facts instead of spin about our most important projects and decisions as a republic?  I'm not naive about the history of our country and the reality that spin was part and parcel of the debates since the early pamphlet wars began.  What I long for is faith in our elected leaders to share with us truths as they experience them, not partial falsities or spin.  I long for debates about the matters at hand instead of personal attacks.  Would those who have been elected to govern please do so instead of seeing their purpose as mere opposition to and denigration of the Office of the President?  Could we please discover our faith in each other again, even if and especially when we have honest disagreements?  Lord, for the sake of our Nation and the World, I hope so.