It'll Give You Goose Bumps

Have you ever heard the story about the dinner Thomas Jefferson served at his home in June of 1790? William Fowler of Northeastern University wrote a wonderful article for last Friday's Boston Globe in which he talks about that dinner and about how three reasonable, intelligent men were able to work out a solution at a time when the United States was suffering from a financial crisis, due in part to their having printed money to cover war expenses. Alexander Hamilton thought it prudent for the federal government to consolidate and assume the country's debt. Virginia's James Madison, adamantly opposed, was vocal about his position and was working to defeat Hamilton's proposal. One fine spring day in the same year, Thomas Jefferson happened to run into Alexander Hamilton. As a result of that happenchance, Secretary of State Jefferson invited America's first Secretary of the Treasury to come for dinner. He agreed, and Mr. Jefferson then asked James Madison, who also accepted. At the same time, the fledgling country was also trying to resolve the whereabouts of the nation's capital. Naturally Southerners wanted it in the South and Northerners preferred the North.

Professor Fowler and James Madison write eloquently about the dinner. "It was a convivial evening and by the time the port reached the table they had struck a deal. Madison agreed that Hamilton's measure might be 'brought before the House.' Although 'he would not vote for it, nor entirely withdraw from opposition, yet he would not be strenuous, but leave it to its fate.'" Mr. Fowler continues to explain what Mr. Hamilton offered in order to secure Mr. Madison's agreement not to press his case and in addition, to gain support from the South for his financial plan. The government was allocated to the southern United States and the exact location was left to the wise discretion of George Washington.

Mr. Fowler concludes his article with such grace and dignity, as well as common sense advice for the present day. "This was one of the great compromises in American history. Like all political compromises it did not fully satisfy all the parties, nor did it reconcile fundamental differences between Hamiltonians and Jeffersonians. Those debates would continue. But at this moment of great crisis, three of America's greatest political leaders pushed aside politics and ideology to embrace a national vision. Over dinner that evening in June 1790, Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton saved the republic. Perhaps it is time for someone in Washington, our compromise capital, to arrange another dinner."

This is a must-read article for anyone who loves history.


Boston Globe, Friday, March 27, 2009, "Memo to Geithner: Learn from Hamilton" by William Fowler, p.A15
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/27/memo_to_geithner_learn_from_hamilton/