Alexander Hamilton

by Ron Chernow

If Jefferson provided the essential poetry of American political discourse, Hamilton established the prose of American statecraft.

“Perseverance in almost any plan is better than fickleness and fluctuation,”

If he had wanted to impose a monarchy upon America, Hamilton said, he would follow the classic path of a populist demagogue: “I would mount the hobbyhorse of popularity, I would cry out usurpation, danger to liberty etc. etc. I would endeavour to prostrate the national government, raise a ferment, and then ride in the whirlwind and direct the storm.”