And the result was a rapid advance in power and prosperity of which
there is no example in any other age or nation. The part which Hamilton
bore is universally known.

His unsuspecting confidence in professions, which he believed to be
sincere, led him to trust too much to the undeserving. This exposed him
to misrepresentation. He felt himself obliged to resign. The care of a
rising family, and the narrowness of his fortune, made it a duty to
return to his profession for their support. But tho he was compelled to
abandon public life, never, no, never for a moment did he abandon the
public service. He never lost sight of your interests. I declare to you,
before that God in whose presence we are now especially assembled, that
in his most private and confidential conversations, the single objects
of discussion and consideration were your freedom and happiness. You
well remember the state of things which again called forth Washington
from his retreat to lead your armies. You know that he asked for
Hamilton to be his second in command. That venerable sage knew well the
dangerous incidents of a military profession, and he felt the hand of
time pinching life at its source. It was probable that he would soon be
removed from the scene, and that his second would succeed to the
command. He knew by experience the importance of that place--and he
thought the sword of America might safely be confided to the hand which
now lies cold in that coffin. Oh! my fellow citizens, remember this
solemn testimonial that he was not ambitious. Yet he was charged with
ambition, and, wounded by the imputation, when he laid down his command
he declared in the proud independence of his soul, that he never would
accept any office, unless in a foreign war he should be called on to
expose his life in defense of his country. This determination was
immovable. It was his fault that his opinions and his resolutions could
not be changed. Knowing his own firm purpose, he was indignant at the