Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1919 — LODGE AND HAMILTON. [ARTICLE]

LODGE AND HAMILTON.

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge is an able historian and biographer. Among his writing is a biography , of Alexander Hamilton. The founder of the Federalist party heldj about the same relationship toward ( the adoption of the constitution ofi the United States that Mr. Lodge holds toward the league q,f nations. There were things about the constitution that Hamilton didn’t like, just as some of the articles of covenant of the league of nations do not meet with Senator Lodge’s approval. But Hamilton was big enough and patriotic enough to give his support to the constitution’s adoption, and for that he is praised by Mr. Lodge in his writings. ‘‘Hamilton’s confidence in his own theory deepened and his faith in the existing constitution declined. But when the work was complete at Philadelphia, when he had put his name to the compro-

mise which he had anticipated, and In which he rejoiced, he gave his adherence to the new constitution and the new system,” wrote Mr. Lodge. •'Had he been an agitator, or a sentimentalist of muddy morals and high purposes, a visionary and an idealist, he would have stood up and howled against this constitution, which was not what he wanted, and which fell so short of his own standard. As he was none of these things, but a patriotic man of clear and practical mind, he knew that the first rule of successful and beneficial statesmanship was not to sulk because one cannot have just what he wants, but to take the best things obtainable, and sustain It to the uttermost.” •Senator Lodge upon occasions has declared for a league of nations. He doubtless realizes that its covenant cannot be perfect in all things when first drafted, but that amendments will became necessary from time to time, as it became necessary from time to time to amend the constitution. {Senator Lodge now seems to forget that the first rule of successful statesmanship is “not to sulk because one cannot have just what he wants,” but to take the best thing obtainable. Too bad Senator is not big enough and patriotic enough to earn the commendation he bestows upon Alexander Hamilton.