The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-05-16

guifeO IN the SStOiEi. 0dSililiSto
gave the warning and called tor action.
1t was voice ACCUSTOMED to command,
but now entrealing. The veterans of
the war and thcstatesmen of the Revo-
htion stepped 10 the front. The pa
tr,otism which had been misled, but
had never faltered, rose above the in
terests of States and the jealosies OF
iarrinx Canadsfatss to find the basis
for union. alt is clear to me as A, B,
CO. said Washington, ''that an exten
sion of Federal powers would make us
one of the most happy, wealthy, re-
spectacle and powerful nations that
ever inhabited the terrestrial globe.
Without them we shall soon be every
thing which is the direct reverse. [ !
predict the worst consequences from
half starved, limping Government, al !
ways moving upon crutches, and tot
tering at every step" The response
of the country was the convention of |
1887, at Philadelphia. The Declara-
ton of Independence was but the YES
tbule of the temple which this illus
trious assembly erected. With no
successful precedents to guide, it aus
piciously worked out the problem Of
Constitutional Government, and Of
imperial power and home rule, supple
menting each other in promoting the
grandeur of the Nation, and preserving
the liberty of the individual.
The deliberations of great councils
have vitality affected, at different peri
DDS, the history of the world and the
fate of Empires: but this Congress
bu,lded, upon popular sovereignty, in
stitutions broad enough to embrace
the continent, and elastic enough to
fit all conditions Of race and tradition.
The experience of hundred years has
demonstrated for us the perfection OF
the work, tor defence against foreign
foes, and for self preservation against
domestic insurrection, for limitless ex-
pansion in population and material
developement, and for steady growth
in intellectual freedom and force. Its
continuing influence upon the welfare
and destiny of the human race can
only be measured by the capacity OF
man to cultivate and enjoy the bound
less opportunities of liberty and law.
The eloquent characterization Of Mr..
Gladstone condenses its merits: "Ihe
American Constitution is the most
wonderful work ever struck off at
: given time by the brain and purpose
t of man"
, The statesmen who composed th
: great Senate were equal to their trust
S Their conclusions were the results
: calm debate and wise concession
: Their character and abilities were St
= pure and great as to command tn
S confidence of the country for the re
: versal of the policy of the indepen
e dence of the State of the power OF tn
a general Government, which had hith
is erto been the invariable practice an
: almost universal opinion, and for tn
= adoption of the idea of the Nation an
its supremacy.
d Towering in majesty and infiuene
J. above them all stood Washington
al their President. Beside him was tt
ID venerable Franklin, who, ,thoughe eight,
I'd one years of age, brought to the delll
s. erations of the convention the unin
is paired vigor and resources of the wise
ur brain, the most hopeful philosoph
in and the largest experience OF the time
s. Oliver Ellsworth, afterwards Chief Ju
o tice of the United States, and the pr
ar foundest jurist in the country; Robe
Y / Morris, the wonderful financier of t
I'd Revolution, and Gouverneur Morr
e. the most versatile genius of bis periot
,e. Roger Sherman, one of the most en-
|e- nent of the signers of the Declaratl
|ly of Independence. and John Rutleds
ne Rufus King, Elbridge Gerry, Edmu
N, Randolph and the Pinckneys VT
m leaders of unequaled patriotism, COZ
er, age, ability and learning; while Ale
ID ander Hamilton and James Madls(
nd as origina! thinkers and construct
en- statesmen, rank among the immor
m few whose opinions have for ages gu
"a ed Ministers of State and determln
ss- the destinies Of nations.
Of There were no examples to folit
to and the experience of It's members le
part of them to lean toward absol
an centrallzation as the only refuge ir
,cd the archery of the confederation, wi
phr the rest chung to the sovereignty OF
hi States, tor fear that concentration
,ed power would end at the absorption
ich liberty. The large States did not W
aot to surrender the advantage of tt
,,b. position, and the smaller States :
hev the danger to their existence.
,sa- At this crisis the courage and CO
dence needed to originate sys
by weakened. The temporizing spirl
ON compromise seized the convention ,
city the alluring proposition OF not proct
rial ing faster than the people could
With educated to follow. The cry g
rec us not waste our labor upon con
the sions that will not be adopted,
and amend and adjourn, was assun
ncy startling unanimity But the supr
!, its force and majestic sense of Washing
sed, brought the assenhlage to the
e plane of its duty and opportunity.