The Portland daily press., 1889-05-01
ACENTURY'S GLORY.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST pAoE.l

..N.H ..'s - W uhoW III 10 place a duty upon
imports Tor its support, but New York which
levied an import duty of its own upon mer-
chanuise coming into the State from any
quarter, opJected as 1t would interfere with
her revenue. Fortunately, as it turned out,
= Ni;s; NiuS;st;lon soon arose between Maryland and
Nmsiuia ABOUT the navigation of the Po-
tomac, and this question opened the whole
suplect OF commercial reciprocity between
tne otates; and fortunately again, the leader
snip III tne discussion fell to James Madison
Nnnn wmo ehhaertained en- broad and liberal views
Inc result. was that Virginia invited a
conference OF the States upon the subject
ptrange 10 say the States which apparently
Hssam Haa tne most at stake in this conference
t;nn talea 70 sena representatives to the conyen
lion and.all that could be done was for those
present to report to Congress and ask for the
Gcaiiing o1 general convention to meet at
rHiillasaaelphla in the ensuing May. 1887.
WIN singular perversity, Massachusetts
opposed the convention. Events, however,
were occurring within her borders which
could but change her views. A spirit of
dlscontent fostered by the hard conditions
Wnlch surrounded the people was growing
apace. Tramps and vagabonds infested not
only the more populous towns, but overran
10 rural hamlets, making noisome with their
presence the secluded country lane, as we'll
as the fashionable city thoroughfare. Men
once prosperous, but reduced to bankruptcy
by. the disorganized condition of affairs
helped to swell the hosts of pauperism which
hlled the jails to repletion. A cry was raised
against the extravaganza of the salary paid
to the Governor; the legislature was de-
clared to be aristocratic; the taxes oppressive
and an unlimited issue of fat paper money
was demanded as measure of relief. At
this Juncture leader appeared upon the
scene In the person of an old Revolutionary
soldier. Daniel Shay by name, who gathering
mob of malcontents, besieged the courts at
Worcester and Sprinffgeld A force was put
into the field by the Massachusetts govern
ment and the rebellion was soon crushed
This event had taught Massachusetts a les
son, and she no longer hesitated to send her
representatives to the convention which was
to consider measures for the common welfare.
New York and Rhode Island held out; but
at last the former, urged by that able states
man Alexander Hamilton, reluctantly con
sented to join in the convention, and accord
ingly appointed her representatives to attend
IL. Rhode Island sullenly refused to take
part In the convention, aud regarded its pro-
ceedlnes with dissatisfaction. 1t was on the
l4th OF May 17S9, that the convention to form
ulate new plan of government for the thir-
teen States, assembled at Philadelphia :
though some of theNew England delegations
were tardy In making their appearance to an
swer the roll call.
As we glance over the array OF names
which formed this historic and immortal
group OF distinguished men assembled in the
City OF Brotherly Love, on this memorable
occasion, we are awe-struck at what seems
like special interposition of Providence in
bringing together at this critical period, so
many men competent to deal wisely with the
different questions which were to be pre-
sented 70 them. There was the grave and
stately Washington the blunt and honest
franklin; the urbane and courtly Morris the
skilful and Judicious Madison; the keen and
witty Randolph; the polished and persis-
tent Hamilton; the jealous and unyielding
King. with many others equally efficient. if
less active In debate. Such were the men to
whom the destinies of a nation were entrust-
ed In this period of peril; men whom we
know to have been equal to the trust impos-
ed upon them.
The convention soon divided into two
parties, each drawn together by distinctive
idea, that attracted to itself congenial minds.
One of these parties contended for perpet-
uatlon OIL the confederate Congress with
somewhat enlarged powers; the other for a
national government with national powers :;
In other words, one was sectional; the other
national. These ideas which came into op-
position century ago, have continued in
conflict TO our own time; but fortunately for
the common veal, the national idea has
proved the stronger.
Hitherto the confederate Congress had
been but government in name. True, the
States had delegated to it certain powers ;but
lt nad found the authority of each State
within its own borders supreme. 1t was now
proposed that instead of the several States
delegating through their legislatures certain
powers, the sovereign people of these States
should withdraw from their State govern
ments such powers as were deemed essen
tlal and bestow them upon the national gov
eminent.
But what should be the source and basis
OF representation? Should the representa-
tlyes OF these two houses be chosen directly
be proportionate; Ior should they be chosen
iDy the State Legislatures and represent the
States equally?
These. were questions to excite conflict
among the people of every State.
naturally the National party contended
Tor popular elections, ,and for proportionate
representation, while the State rights party
contended for legislative appointments. and
an equal State representation. 1t was mo-
ment OF extreme danger, and for a while il
looked as though the fragile union which
then existed. would be shattered in the con
test, and America become the theatre in
which number OF petty governments might
play the role OF sovereignty with all its at
tendant perils. This was the outlook when
compromise proyidentially became posi-
The statesmen Of both parties desired TO
protect the States from usurpaticn by the
general government, and the national party
saw In the plan of their State-rights oppo-
nents, way to do this; hence it was agreed
70 adopt the plans OF both parties, by which
chosen by the State Legislatures on the basis
ot equal representation. and the members Of
the other house by the people upon the basis
OF proportionate representation.
1t was wonderful compromise between
two apparently irreconoilable principles of
government, and we may we'll wonder at the
wisdom which the statesmen of the time dis
played In framing them together to so per
iectiy subserve the purposes which they had
IN view.
Tho opast;or 80 A. - ,...a a :,
ior the popular branch OF the two houses
was brought into the arena, and proved one
OF great difficulty. Should representation be
based upon the number of free people in the
several States, or upon all, free and bond?
Inc slave-holding States would not submit
TO representation based only upon their free
inhabitants, and the non slave-holding States
objected to having slaves made subjects of
proportlonate representation. Another con-
Hlct ensued, which was also finally settled
6y counting all free inhabitants and three
hfths of all others, excluding Indians. On
many points. there was commendable una
nimity Of opinion. The trainers of the new
articles OF union, which subsequently be-
came In amended form the constitution of
the United States, had realized how impor-
tant the Federal Congress had been, and they
were in mood to make the new government
a strong one, worthy to take rank among the
governments of the world; hence they agreed
that " should not only possess the powers
delegated TO the confederate Congress, but
should be supreme in all cases in which the
state Legislature might conflict with the
national authority, and might even nullify
state laws not In harmony with the articles
OF union, or conflicting with treaties made
under constitutional authority.
Having agreed upon the functions and
powers OF the legislative branch of the gov
ernment, the executive branch next came nm
der consideration; and here theories found
an ample field in which to display them
selves, Should the executive power be vested
in several individuals or in single person? !?
Some would have it tIinal, and ingeniously
argued for this idea, while others argued as
ingeniously, and, as the event proved, with
greater force for single executive head.
An important question arose respecting the
method Of electing this branch of the govern
ment. Should It be elected directly by the
people or by the legislative branch: and
should it have the power to veto the acts of
this branchs Scribblers had broad field
in the discussion Of this subject
in which to air their opinions and
much ink was wasted In the pas
time. Finally it was agreed to have but
one person to WELD executive power and
that he should be chosen by the legislative
branch OF the government to hold Office for
the period of seven years .and should be
ineligible to second term Of Ioffice.
Having settled the questions relating to
the legislative and executive branches of the
proposed. government, the judicial branch
was considered, and this involved one Of the
prime motives for forming new government,
which was to create the means by which the
national government could enforce its au
thority without resort to physical force.
The authority of the government being made
supreme, 1t could be applied most effectively