The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-05-01

had great weight and influences on the remain
ing states 1t is interesting TO note that TO the
public meeting held at the Green Dragon taY-
ern in Boston, by Paul Revere and the mechan-
les we may possibly be indebted for the final
adoption of the constitution.
But after the adoption by Massachusetts, the
struggle continued with great bitterness in
other states. When the New Hampshire con-
vention met it was discovered that the ma
jority would probably be opposed to the adop.
ton OF the constitution, and its friends secured
an adjournment until June, when, as we have
seen above. il was adopted by vote Of 81 TO
10 New York ratified it by only three ma
lor1ty. One historian says the state was drug
ged into the Union. And after it was in, the
discomfort and turmoil continued and pre-
vented the state from voting for the frs. presi-
dent
The constitution was called the New Roof"
and its enemies assaulted it with able arguments,
ridicule and fierce denunciation Riots occurred
in Pennsylvania, and blood was shed in Albany,
n. Y. The whole country was agtated, and
there was more politics then than of late years,
and this IS stating the case very strongly.
Alter the constitution was adopted by suffi.
clent number OF states, bitter. controversy
arose IN some of the states over the manner of
choosing the presidential electors. Whatwould
have been the result of the final effort 10 estab.
lish the new government had the country not
nao Washington 10 rally around. 1t
Is not difficult 10 conjecture. The presi.
on the first Wednesday in January, 1889.
The electors were TO meet on the first Wednesday
in February to elect the president, and the new
government was TO be put in full force on the
hrst Wednesday in March, 1889, which was the
fourth day of that month. II is difficult thing
for the present generation to understand why
all the senators and representatives were not
in their places on that day. But they were
slow in reaching New York, the seat OF gov
eminent, and twas some days before a quorum
he "a forF ff1or,k had
to be counted, the result announced and
messenger dispatched to Mt. Vernon to notify
Washington, and one to Boston to notify
John Adams, the vice-president. Then Wash
lngton consumed some days in going to New
ork, and when he arrived Federal hall was
not finished and the Inauguration was post
poned one week. The reader can now see why
Washington was not inaugurated until the 30th
of April.
Some historians assert that had the adoption
OF the constitution depended on the intrinsic
merits OF the instrument it would have failed.
IL was the influence of the great characters
who supported it that finally secured its adop-
ton.
When Washington came to the presidency a
large number, If not q majority, were preiu-
diced against the new plan of government. He
had most difficult task to perform as presi-
( dent In addition to organizing and putting ia
working order all the machinery of the new
government he had 10 break down the prejudice
aSdlhst IL anu MAKE iIIenu OIL Itb enemies
When the condition of the country immedi-
ately preceding his inauguration is considered,
il becomes matter Of wonder that his admin
istration was so successful. Perhaps no other
man could have safely started the Union on its
course. This, his victory of peace, was as
great if not greater than his victory of war
But while hOnoring Washington, the grand
patriots and statesmen who assisted and sus-
tanned him should not be forgotten. They
seemed to have been inspired by Divine wis
dom. That the work of their minds, the con-
stitution, should have stood the test of 8 hum
dred years under, at times the most adverse
circumstances. is almost conclusive evidence of
their inspiration. All honor to the men who
struggled TO form the constitution and Union
and accomplished the great work
JUDGE LEWIS JORDAN.
indianapolis, April p.