Semper Paratus, People

"Hamilton took his stand on one of the stoops, and proceeded with great animation and eloquence to harangue the mob on the excessive impropriety of their conduct, and the disgrace it would bring on the cause of liberty; of which they avowed themselves to be the Champions."--Robert Troup, Hamilton's college roommate at King's College [now Princeton]

"It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government."--Alexander Hamilton

From the Coast Guard Compass Blog: "The Long Blue Line: Alexander Hamilton – first member of the long blue line

"A few armed vessels, judiciously stationed at the entrances of our ports, might at a small expense be made useful sentinels of the laws."

—Federalist Paper #12 (27 November 1787)

"In the above quote, author Alexander Hamilton described a fleet of Federal vessels that he believed the newly created United States required to enforce tariff laws and interdict smuggling.

Considered the father of the United States Coast Guard, Hamilton played an integral role in the formation and development of the government of the United States. When the new government got under way in 1789, Hamilton was appointed the first Secretary of the Treasury. He began at once to place the nation’s disorganized finances on a sound footing. In a series of reports, he presented a program not only to stabilize national finances but also to shape the future of the country as a developing industrial nation. He proposed establishment of a national bank, funding of the national debt, assumption of state war debts, and the encouragement of manufacturing. In addition, he was the driving force behind Congress’ creation of a revenue marine service, the precursor to the modern-day Coast Guard.

Born in Charlestown on the West Indian island of Nevis on January 11, 1757, Hamilton immigrated to New York in 1772. Although not yet 20 years of age, by 1774 he authored many widely read political publications. Not long after the start of the American Revolution, Hamilton received the captaincy of an artillery unit and fought in the principal campaigns of 1776. In 1777, he advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel, joined the staff of General Washington as secretary and aide-de-camp, and soon became Washington’s close confidant. Hamilton ended the war as a lieutenant colonel commanding an infantry regiment, which he led with great success during the siege at Yorktown.

Already in 1787, Hamilton had articulated the need for the revenue marine in the Federalist Papers. As the fledgling nation sought to combat smugglers seeking to avoid payment of import tariffs, Hamilton advised Congress to build a fleet of ten cutters to help direct ships to specific ports of entry along the East Coast of the United States.

Hamilton’s small fleet proved the basis for establishment of a revenue marine, later known as the Revenue Cutter Service. Congress adopted Hamilton’s plan on August 4, 1790, which the Coast Guard celebrates as its birth date. Since the Continental Navy and marines disbanded following the conclusion of the American Revolution, this revenue marine was the nation’s only sea service in the early years of the new republic.

Hamilton assigned revenue cutters to the East Coast’s ten major seaports, allowing for import tariff collection, critically important to the economic viability of the nation. In addition to their law enforcement role, the fleet of cutters rendered aid and assistance as needed “for the protection of lives and property at sea,” a humanitarian life-saving role that defines the Coast Guard to this day.
Hamilton resigned from the cabinet in January 1795 and never returned to public office. His two last major political acts came in 1800 and 1804 and both targeted aspiring political leader Aaron Burr. 

When Burr and Thomas Jefferson tied in the 1800 presidential election, Hamilton used his influence in the House of Representatives to secure Jefferson’s presidency. In 1804, Hamilton also maneuvered to defeat Burr’s chances of becoming governor of New York. In response to Hamilton’s political moves against him, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel on the pretext that the latter had expressed a “despicable opinion” of him. The duel took place in New Jersey, on July 11, 1804. Burr mortally wounded Hamilton, who died the next day. Hamilton was laid to rest at Trinity Church in New York City.

Alexander Hamilton was the original member of the long blue line and he established a service that has stood the test of time for over 225 years. Today, Hamilton’s name graces the hull of the newest National Security Cutter, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton, the sixth Coast Guard cutter to bear his name.".......

Sec. Hamilton certainly didn't share this cartoonist's cartoonish contempt for the people. That's why he said

"After all, Sir, we must submit to this idea, that the true principle of a republic is, that the people should choose whom they please to govern them."

That's why he argued the case for the Constitution in the newspapers. That's why he outlawed Obama's One-Man Treaty. And that's why he said this:

"The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority."


Funny; they all bought $300 seats to watch "Hamilton"--and learned nothing.

Sigma Alex Hamilton 

(from our archives Oct. 2003)

ATTENTION, ALL HAPPENIN' YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENTS:

Does your school have a troubling admissions policy?
Got revolutionaries on campus?
Do your campus political opponents steal your newspapers?
Do you have to keep your politically incorrect views hidden from the Administration?
Any angry mobs disrupting your studies?

Well, take comfort, kids; it all happened before, back in the 70's.

The 1770's, that is.

When Alexander Hamilton, a poor but brilliant prodigy from the West Indies, was given a scholarship, he applied to Princeton. He was turned down because he asked for advanced placement. Hamilton then applied at King's College in New York. He became a radical revolutionary (except he was PRO-American, unlike today's wannabe-wankers). His room was pilfered for pamphlets & books, probably by Loyalist students. He had to keep his writings a secret from the college Administration which was strongly pro-English. When an angry Sons of Liberty mob came for the college president, Hamilton stalled them long enough for the man to escape...'tho a patriot, he despised mob justice.

Many know of his role as the first Secretary of Treasury, where he put the United States on a path to prosperity. And his role in lobbying for the Constitution, penning most of the Federalist Papers. Not to mention his role in founding the Coast Guard & Navy. But fewer know about his role as an military officer. Although he became one of Washington's most valued officers, he was not given the post as some kind of plum assignment (indeed, working for Washington was no Spring Break).

While he was still a teen-ager, he formed his own artillery company, and distinguished himself in battle. His bravery, command ability & shrewd analytical skills attracted Washington's attention. He served the General well, whether wheeling cannons through the snow to fire on the Hessians or covering Washington's back in the Conway Affair.

Hamilton started the practice of promoting able enlisted men to become officers, instead of selecting only from the 'gentleman class'. He was also anti-slavery (as a number of the Founders were, or came to be). And also like some of the other Founders, including John Jay & Paul Revere, he was of some French ancestry. Despite my better judgement, I will try to say something nice about the French here: they tend to improve dramatically when they become Americans.

By the way, if you think you are a swingin' ladies' man on campus, we'd note that Martha Washington named her tom-cat "Hamilton".

There is good reason that Hamilton and Franklin are the only non-Presidents honored on our currency.

If you have not been taught any of this, you have been cheated by your institute of higher learning. I'd strongly recommend that you read "Alexander Hamilton: A Life" by Willard Sterne Randall.

Or you could, although not recommended, do what Hamilton did after being rejected by Princeton for advanced placement;

"Four years later he would return to Princeton--with cannon." .............