The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-05-18

sides Of the momentous question. Writers
Of great ability attacked and defended the
new project Of government, but the letters
Of Puhlius, under the title OF " The Federal
ist," the joint work of Alexander Hamilton,
John Jay. and James Madison. have alone
survived the occasion that drew them forth,
and descended with classical reputation.
The FIRST number Of this remarkable series
Of papers was written by Gen. Hamilton
towards the end Of October. 1857. on hoard
packet bound up North river. They pro-
duced great effect on the public mind, and
formed an armory Of weapons for the de-
fence Of the Constitution throughout the
country.
Little Delaware led of with her rati6ca-
ton on the Tth Of December, 1897, and the
remaining States followed--Pennsylvania on
the 18th OF December Georgia on the ad Of
January, 1888; Connecticut on the 9th Of
January Massachusetts, on the 9th Of Febru.
airy; Maryland on the ssth Of April, and
South Carolina on the esd of May. Eight
months had now elapsed since the formation
Of the Constitution. and eight States only
had ratified it. In two of the five remaining
States, viz: North Carolina in the South,
and Rhode Island in the North, no ratifra-
ton was at present expectedi and the other
three States, New York, New Hampshire
and Virginia, were yet to act--thus confer
ring on any one Of the three great sections
Of the country ior the West at that time
had not been called into existence) the pawer
OF communicating the organization Of the I'm,
ion. In New York and Virginia very for
midabie opposition was expected. and the re-
suit was doubtful; everything for the momen,
seemed to depend on New Hampshire. On
the 2ist Of June, 1888, her ratification took
place. and with it the Constitution, as be.
tween the nine ratifyiGg States, became the
supreme law Of the land. The ratification d
Virginia followed on the 20th Of June, and
that Of New York on the Goth Of July. North
Carolina delayed her ratification till the 2lsl
Of November, 1888; and Rhode Island herr
till the 2gth Of May, 100.
As soon as the ratification Of nine State.
was certi6ed 10 the old Congress (and thai
Of New Hampshire, all important as it wa.
in calling the new government into being
does not appear 10 have been officially re.
ported till the I'd Of July the nine ratifica,
tions were referred to committee to exam.
inc the same, and report al act ut Congress
for putting the Constitution into operation
"in pursuance of the resolution of the Fed
eral Convention" A struggle Immediately
arose as to the place where the new govern.
ment should be established. Most Of the
members from New England and the Middle
States wished either that the seat Of the gov.
eminent should continue Ut New York or BE-
removed to Philadelphia; the Southern mem.
bers desired situation nearer the ge0graphi,
cal center Of the Union. These conflicting
opinions were at length recoaciled. BY the
Adoption on the 18Th Of September. 1888, o.
a resolution which provided that, in order {,
carry the new Constitution into operation
Presidential electors should be appointed By
the several States on the first Wednesday 81
January, 1889; that said electors should
meet in their several States and vote for
President and Vice President on the frs;
Wednesday Of February; land that the first
Wednesday in March next (the fourth oi
March. 1850 he the time, and the present
seat " Congress New York the place for
commencing proceedings under the said
Constitution
As originally framed, the Constitution
provided that two persons should be i.ted
for BY electors for President and Vice
President the candidate having the highest
number OF votes 10 be President. and in case
Of equality the House of Representatives
voting BY States, and each State giving one
vote. was to decide. The whole number 81
electoral votes for President and Vice presi
dent. cast On the FIRST Wednesday d Februa.
ry, was 60. They were given unanimously
tor Washington, who was predestined in the
public mind fnr the Office Of President. A
much smaller number u votes werr given fol
Mr.. John Adams. who however united i
large plurality over any other person a. !
candidate for the second Office. The State
II New York took no part in The first prssi'
dartfal cforfsnn