The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-18

the well considered purpose Of improving the con-
dition OF the government, and reasonable prospect
OF success II he had failed afser the first battle
or the second, or third, it would have been better
that the first blow at revolution had never been
struck. Even after peace was declared, and the
mother country had acknowledge the independ-
ence OF the colonies, If we had not succeeded IN
establishing government which would have Sc
cured the blessings of liberty and order, the revo-
luton would have been failurc-it would have
been worse than a failure; because the sacrlfces
that the war occasioned, and the blood that had
been split, would have maze il public calamity
These conside ratons presented themselves TO the
mind of Washington. Here permit me to remark,
incidentally, on one point in the character of Wash
ingt0n. He had determined, upon grave considera-
ton, to resist the government under which he was
born; but he decided, at the same time, to render
his allegiance to the revolutionary government
This government was new; il could claim nothing
on the score of antiquity. Yet Washingtoa yielded
his allegiance TO ii, and obey ed all its commands
most strctly-hs principles, in this respect, are
beautifully expressed by himself. In speaking OF
government and the duty OF the citizen TO II, he
says respect for its authority, compliance with
its law acquiesence in its measures, are duties
Joined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty"
Applause Washington was impressed with the
belief that in order 10 carry out the revoluton-t0
carry il out to its vi innate end-there must be q
government established to secure liberty. You
have heard to- day. IN the eloquent address delivered
to you, his views this subject. will not recur
to his EXPIRE ssions, but he was impressed with the
idea that the revolution would be utterly vaueless
unless more perfect Union was tabshed
Now, let US turn tor moment to the hrst steps
taken towards the establishment of that Union.
The first meeting held OR the subject, was meet
ing Of delegates from few States held in Annapo-
lis. But few States were represented in that con-
vention; II was convention TO protect and advance
the interests OF trade and commerce. Here let me
say, az shall have occasion to show more fully
here after, that the interests Of trade and commerce
FIRST suggested the idea Of more perfect Union, and
these are the greatest GRIN
met in Annapolis in September, 1856 New York
was represented by two dclegatesfrom this city, and
they were Alexander H amilton and Egbe.t Benson
After Of few finding their mRsJ
emily extensive, they determined to make q repre-
sentaton to the State which sent them and to Con-
gress. report was drawn up with great ability,
which was the foundation of all subsequent proceed
ines, by Alexander Hamilton. of tho city Of New
York Another convention, with enlarged powers,
assembled al Philadelphia The several States were
represented. ! shall not now 60 over its proceed
ings-but you know that General Washington was
chosen its President They sat with closed doors,
from May to September, when they produced
draft of constitution, which was adopted by the
American people, and under which we now
live (AIplsuse } As you, no doubt, know,
members to be reported and laid before the
public, a. is now done, the arguments in
support of the various provisions of the proposed
constitution were not made known to the country,
and therefore it became necessary that il should be
explained 10 the people 10 whom it was to be
submitted for their adoption. To do this in an
effective manner required men Of eminent
trial, asd they were Alexander Hamilton,
James Madison, and John Jay, two of them
residents Of the city of New York. Applause.)
think, gentlemen, am authorized to say. that
without the aid furnished by the city of New York,
we should never have had our present constitution
or Union. (Applause.) The next proceeding was to
present this constitution to the several States for
their adoption. Among them it was presented to
New York; and here let me state little of our
domestic history The State of New York was
represented in that convention by three delegate ,
two from the interior, and one from the city. Be-
the two delegates from the interior seeded. or ia
modern phraseology, they =" bolted, and Alexan-
der Hamilton alone, of the city Of New York,
sgIed the constitution CONTINUED Applanse.)
IL became necessary that the State OF New York
should adopt the constitution. A convention was
assembled at Poughkeepsie, and the great majority
Of The members were oppos ed 10 the new coos'ilu-
ton. Bat Alexander Hamilton, from the city of
New York, was there, and by his influence, and
ability, and Patriotism, exercised outside as well
as IL side the convention, he brought that majority
20 vote for the constitution, and the State Of New
York adopted II as II was proposed. Gentlemen, ii
the OILY way TO test gratitude to public benefactor
was ny erecting monuments to their memories. the
city Of New York ought TO erect a monument TO
Alexander HsmltoD, which st oud pierce the skies,
ard every State in the Union should crave the honor
TO assist n erecting that monument. (Great ap.
plause) Thus, then, we see how the constitution
was promug gated at its origin, and how 1t was Hdopt
ed. j see before me gentleman whose appearance
here this evening will not allow me TO pass over an
anecdote which am sure will interest you. lhave
N my eye gentleman, honorcd by his State, and
honored by his country, who, though young man,
was present ei the convention IN Poughkeepse,
with his father, member Of that body. His father
went there opposed 10 the constitution, but he saw
reason TO change bis ground. He was told by his
colleaeue that n he voted for the constitution, he
would never be returned BY the people again TO any
position under the government, aud his answer
vas that he IN the habit of think ing before he
decided 20 act, and wht he h ad made up his mind
to DO what be judged to be right, he did it in utter
disregard Of consequence lie voted for The con.
s.itution. This was Samuel Jones, of Queens
county. (Great applause.) He went home; he
explained the matter 10 his constituents, and insle ad
Of disapproving the course he pursued, they APP
proved everything be had done. tCheers)
Now, We have seen how the constitution was
adopted, and by what means. Time has since
rolled on; seine sixty years have passed away, dur
ing which the constitution and the Union have been
fruitful OF bic ssings TO the people beyond all prece'
dent. Indeed. our country has presented the atre
OF wonders. The attachment Of the people to the
Union il increased from year TO year, until Il vas
almost treason to breathe the thought OF dissolu
ton. The year 1850, however, arrived, and with
il he IoBg session Of Congress Nine months Of
at session were employ din what In dis.
cUssin most exciting subject, calculated, above
all others, to irrtaie the public mind Speech
tfitF snetCn YVES mace Df the NORM against the
Sugih, and by the South against the North, until
TIE most hostie stste Of feeling prevailed, ex.
citing The ceepest anxiety, not TO say alarm,
Of the oldest and most trusted statesman ia
Congress, and bringing the country to the very
verge Of civil wsr. IL became necessary for the
Executive department Of the government TO inter
fere 20 adjust existing differences. They were
adjusted, but barely adjusted, leaving number
Of me Labefs Of both houses of Congress deter.
mined to renew the controversy, and some, il ia
well known, desirou. al dissoving the Union At
his time The city OF New York took the alarm ITS
patriotism vas awakened, its business interests
wee aroused, and a numerous throng of citizens
came forward, without respect 70 former party
lines Of dysion, to stop the agitation. They
soundes the note OF alarm to the country, and II
was responded 10 throughout the length aud
breadth OF the Union. Bur, gentlemen, II is said
tha; this alarm was not necess iry-that the Uaion
YVES not ia Danger ladcedl For what indications
hall We wait TO give us the Alarm We are
told by the Father Of his Country, whose birth
we this day celebrated, that we should "chersh
a cordial, habitual. and immovabe attach
meat 10 the Union sccuetomng ourselvesto thiak