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Two
months before his death at the hands of one of the true
villains of American History, Aarron Burr, Hamilton wrote
a letter to his friend, John Bayard. Hamilton had
the integrity to oppose the political party that he helped
create, the Federalists, when they nominated a man of low
character (Burr) to be President of the United
States. This earned him the animosity of those in
his own party, and he already had the animosity of those
in Jefferson's party. To many, his career in
government was finished. But he had the seed of an
idea, designed to help correct the flaws he saw emerging
from the neophyte American Political System. Here is
the heart of his letter to Bayard:
"Your
letter of the 12th instant has relieved me of some
apprehension. Yet it is well that it should be perfectly
understood by the truly sound part of the Federalists that
there do, in fact, exist intrigues in good earnest between
several individuals not unimportant, of the federal party,
and the person in question, which are bottomed upon
motives and views by no means auspicious to the real
welfare of the country. I am glad to find that it is in
the contemplation to adopt a plan of conduct. It is very
necessary; and, to be useful, it must be efficient and
comprehensive in the means which it embraces, at the same
time that it must mediate none which are not really
constitutional and patriotic. I will comply with your
invitation by submitting some ideas which, from time to
time, have passed through my mind.
Nothing
is more fallacious than to expect to produce any valuable
or permanent results in political projects by relying
merely on the reason of men. Men are rather reasoning than
reasonable animals, for the most part governed by the
impulse of passion. This is well understood by our
adversaries, who have practised upon it with no small
benefit to their cause; for at the very moment they are
eulogizing the reason of men, and professing to appeal
only to that faculty, they are courting the strongest and
most active passion of the human heart, vanity! ......
...........
I need not tell you that I do not mean to countenance the
imitation of things intrinsically unworthy, but only of
such as may be denominated irregular [``irregular
warfare''--DP]; such as, in a sound and stable order of
things, ought not to exist. Neither are you to infer that
any revolutionary result is contemplated. In my opinion,
the present Constitution is the standard to which we are
to cling. Under its banners, bona fide, must we combat our
political foes, rejecting all changes but through the
channel itself provides for amendments. By these general
views of the subject have my reflections been guided. I
now offer you the outline of the plan which they have
suggested.
Let
an association be formed to be denominated ``The Christian
Constitutional Society.'' Its objects to be:
1st.
The support of the Christian religion.
2d.
The support of the Constitution of the United States.
Its
organization:
1st.
A council, consisting of a president and twelve members,
of whom four and the president to be a quorum.
2d.
A sub-directing council in each State, consisting of a
vice-president and twelve members, of whom four, with the
vice-president to be a quorum.
3d.
As many societies of each State as local circumstances
permit to be formed by the sub-directing council.
The
meeting at Washington to nominate the president and the
vice-president, together with four members of each of the
councils, who are to complete their own numbers
respectively.
Its
means:
The
diffusion of information. For this purpose not only the
newspapers, but pamphlets, must be largely employed, and
to do this a fund must be created; five dollars annually,
for eight years, to be contributed by each member who can
really afford it (taking care not to burthen the less able
brethren), may afford a competent fund for a competent
term. It is essential to be able to disseminate gratis
useful publications. Wherever it can be done, and there is
a press, clubs should be formed, to meet once a week, read
the newspapers, and prepare essays, papagraphs, etc.
2d.
The use of all lawful means in concert to promote the
election of fit men; a lively correspondence must be kept
up between the different societies.
3d.
The promoting of institutions of charitable and useful
nature in the management of Federalists. The populous
cities ought particularly to be attended to; perhaps it
would be well to institute in such places 1st, societies
for the relief of emigrants; 2d, academies, each with one
professor, for instructing the different classes of
mechanics in the principles of mechanics and the elements
of chemistry. The cities have been employed by the
Jacobins to give an impulse to the country; and it is
believed to be an alarming fact that, while the question
of presidential election was pending in the House of
Representatives, parties were organizing in several of the
cities in the event of there being no election, to cut off
the leading Federalists and seize the government.
The
foregoing to be the principal engine.... This is the
general sketch of what has occurred to me. It is at the
service of my friends for so much as it may be worth."
Unfortunately,
Hamilton was killed two months after writing this letter,
and his vision has lain dormant...until now....
Our
Society has a
unique mission based on Hamilton's original vision.
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