The

ander Hamilton introduced his financial measures. foreign debt was to be paid in full, the continental debt was to be paid at par, and the debts of the several States were to be assumed. To the second of these propositions Madison dissented, but it was nevertheless carried. The third aroused enormous opposition, and it was hotly debated both in and out of Congress. After one defeat it was reintroduced and carried by means of a bargain. At the third session a bill taxing distilled spirits was passed and the Bank of the United States was incorporated. These measures Jefferson and Randolph opposed. The party had thus gradually strengthened the broad construction view of the Constitution and had attained real principles and party life. It stood committed to protection of manufactures by import duties, to building up a navy and an army, and to strengthening the Federal Government. The opposition raised by these centralizing tendencies gradually took form, and headed by Jefferson, Madison and Randolph, formed the Republican party, from which sprang the DemocraticRepublican party. The work of the Federalists was carried on in the Second Congress. In the third, the Senate was theirs by but a small majority, while in the House there was a small majority against them. The assumption of the State debts had rendered the prompt establishment of a navy possible, and its want now forbade the energetic assertion of our commercial rights. As a consequence, Jay's Treaty was negotiated. In 1798 the party favored war with France, and the popularity of this measure tended to give it temporary prestige, but trouble was brewing. John Adams and his wing of the party was strongly opposed by Hamilton and his followers. ~The Alien and Sedition Laws had made the administration of the former thoroughly unpopular. Jefferson and Burr had completely organized the opposition, and the election of 1800 bore heavily against the Federalists and elected Jefferson. The Federalists, now in the minority, resorted to obstruction, and offered opposition even to measures that were in line with those previously advocated by themselves. Their opposition to the Louisiana purchase, certainly an instance of broad construction, is a fair example of these tactics. To the opposition of this last measure they were not, however, able to

bring their full strength. In 1804 Federalist electors were chosen from but three States. The party opposed the embargo and other restrictive measures, and in this they were joined by Randolph. Attempts to secure a navy, and opposition to the War of 1812 and to the policy of protection of home manufactures, now constituted its programme. It had, in fact, gone so far as to adopt the strict construction theory. In the Presidential election of 1812 it showed a decided increase in strength, but this soon fell off again, and although it still had influence in some of the New England States, its national importance was over. Its supporters became National Republicans, and were of the elements that subsequently formed the Whig party. One of the most serious defects of the party was that it never made any attempt to gain the confidence of the peopleits leaders stood aloof. Among the prominent members of the party, besides those mentioned, were John Jay, Fisher Ames, John Marshall, Roger Sherman, Rufus King and James A. Bayard.

Federal-Republican. In 1820 James Monroe was elected President, receiving all but one of the electoral votes. It was an "era of good feeling," and most of the Federalists now called themselves Federal-Republicans, as indicating their satisfaction with the party in power.

Female Suffrage. (See Woman Suffrage.)

Fenians, or Fenian Brotherhood. A political association which has aimed at the forcible separation of Ireland from English rule. The name comes from the ancient Irish warriors, the Finna, Fianna or Fionna. The brotherhood was founded in New York in 1857. John O'Mahoney, William R. Roberts, James Stephens and O'Donovan Rossa were prominent leaders, the first two especially so in this country. Their importance in our history arises from their attempts to make the United States a base for their operations in Ireland and Canada against the English. Large sums of money were collected here from time to time to carry on their work. Their first congress was held at Chicago in November, 1863. They seized on the differences which existed between the United States and Great Britain during the Civil War and afterward, and tried to widen the breach, hoping to precipitate these nations into war and

thus increase their chances for freeing Ireland. Their schemes in this direction, however, were not successful. In 1866 they attempted to invade Canada from the United. States. In the spring of that year 500 men gathered at Eastport, Maine, but disbanded when the United States authorities captured 750 stand of arms that were intended for them. In May, government officials seized 1,200 stand of arms at Rouse's Point, New York, and about 1,000 stand at St. Albans, Vermont. On the first of June, 1,500 Fenians, commanded by Colonel O'Neill, crossed the Niagara River, at Buffalo. After a slight success they were routed, and about 700 were captured on their return by the United States forces. A similar event took place on the Vermont line. Two of the prisoners who had been captured by the Canadian forces were sentenced to death, but were respited largely through the intercession of Secretary of State Seward and other Americans. Those who had been captured by the United States authorities were released on parole or after a short imprisonment. In the spring of 1867, a brig, Erin's Hope, sailed from New York for Ireland with arms and ammunition, but was unable to land them, and, after losing by capture some of her force, returned to New York. In the spring of 1870 another invasion of Canada was attempted, but General Meade was sent to the scene of operations and seized the men and arms. Meanwhile, Fenian efforts in England and Ireland had not relaxed. The account of them is stirring, but does not belong to our history. The brotherhood did not succeed in liberating Ireland, though it was perhaps due in some measure to their agitation that reforms were soon adopted in its government by England. Many of the leaders were imprisoned and some sentenced to penal servitude for life.

Few Die and None Resign. (See Civil Service Reform.) Fiat Money. The word fiat means decree. Money that is constituted money by a mere decree, and that has nothing of value on which to rest as a basis, is called fiat money. It is also called credit money. The only fiat money in circulation in this country is the legal tender notes.

Fifty-four Forty or Fight. A cry adopted during the Northwestern Boundary discussion by those who disap