What does this quote mean? It has to do with Alexander Hamilton's financial

Question: What does this quote mean!? It has to do with Alexander Hamilton's financial prgram when he was the secretary!?

of tresurary!.

"our prevailing passions are ambition and interest; and it will be the duty of a wise government to avail itself of those passions, in order to make them subservient to the public good" Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Hamilton had a low opinion of the masses and was a Federalist!. He believed in the federal government having great powers (most often at the expense of the states)!. The quote is saying that since the masses are now passionate about ambition and the American interest, the federal government must act to control and mold those passions so that they serve the "public good" -- as determined by the federal government!. As Secretary, he created a stable financial structure for the U!.S!. (e!.g!. via the federal government's assumption of state debts, the establishment of the U!.S!. Mint, a national bank, a workable tax and tariff system) -- with the federal government in control!.

Example:

The masses want to produce whiskey and use it as currency!? No problem, but the federal government will tax whiskey and use the revenue for the public good!.Www@QuestionHome@Com