THE CONSTRUCTIVE STATESMAN 209 



federal government, however admirably it met the 

 emergency of the moment, was such a measure as 

 might easily create a dangerous precedent, *and there 

 was certainly nothing strange or inconsistent in Madi- 

 son's opposition to it. A similar explanation will 

 cover his opposition to Hamilton's national bank; 

 and indeed, with the considerations here given as a 

 clew, there is little or nothing in Mr. Madison's career 

 in Congress that is not thoroughly intelligible. At 

 the time, however, the Federalists, disappointed at los- 

 ing a man of so much power, misunderstood his acts 

 and misrepresented his motives, and the old friendship 

 between him and Hamilton gave way to mutual dis- 

 trust and dislike. In the political agitation caused 

 by the French Revolution, Mr. Madison sympathized 

 with the revolutionists, though he did not go so far in 

 this direction as Jefferson. In the debates upon Jay's 

 treaty with Great Britain, he led the opposition, and 

 earnestly supported the resolution asking President 

 Washington to submit to the House of Representa- 

 tives copies of the papers relating to the negotiation. 

 After three weeks of debate the resolution was passed, 

 but Washington refused the request on the ground 

 that the making of treaties was intrusted by the Con- 

 stitution to the President and the Senate, and that the 

 lower house was not entitled to meddle with their 

 work. 



At the close of Washington's second administration, 

 Mr. Madison retired for a brief season from public 

 life. During this difficult period the country had 

 been fortunate in having, as leader of the opposition 

 in Congress, a man so wise in counsel, so temperate in 

 spirit, and so courteous in demeanour. Whatever else 



