The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-02-21

country; the dullest md most lethargic
knew now what slack government and
financial disorder would produce. The
states one and all-save Rhode Island
bethought them of the convention called
to meet In Philadelphia on the second
Monday in Mny. 1877. and delegates were
appointed Even congress took the les
son to heart and gave It's sanction to
the conference.
ingtons name at the head OF Its own
list OF delegates. and after his name the
names OF Patrick Henry. Edmund Ran
dolph. John Blair James Madison George
Mason and George Wythe-the leading
names of the state no man could doubt.
But Washington hesitated. He had al
Cincinnati in Philadelphia about the
same time. he said and thought 1t
would be dsrespectful to that body, to
whom he owed much, ITO be there on
doubt whether the convention was con-
stitutional. It's avowed purposes being
what they were. until congress tardily
His real reason his intimate friends
must have divlned from the first. They
knew him better In such matters than he
knew himself He not only loved his
retirement; he deemed himself a soldier
and man OF action, and no statesman,
The floor of assemblies had never
seemed to him his principal sphere OF
from the house of burgesses on private
business twenty years ago, when he
knew that the stamp Act was to be de-
bated.
But it was not for the floor OF the APP
wanted him; they told him from the first
he must preside He was known to be
ers that would make 1t n real govern
ment. and he thought that enough; but
they wanted the whole country to see
when they had persuaded him to attend,
knew that they had at any rate won
the confidence OF the people In their
patriotic IS .;, purpose nond HIS mere presence
Washington and the other Virglnians
were prompt to be in Philadelphia on
the day appointed, but only the Penn.
them, They had to walt an anxious
week before so many as seven states
were represented. Meanwhile. those who
and apprehensive, and there was talk of
compromise and half way measures,
should the convention prove weak or
threaten to miscarry,
afterwards how nobly Washington,
standing self collected in the midst OF
them" had uttered brave counsels of
wisdom in their rebuke. ut is too prob
able" he said. that no plan we propose
will be adopted, Perhaps another dread
ful conflict Is to be sustained. IL, to
please the people. we offer what we our
selves disapprove. how can we after
wards defend our work? Let us raise a
standard to which the wise and honest
can repair The event Is in the hand
OF God"
1t was All utterance, they knew, not Of
craftsmanship merely but Of character.
and 1t was that character. II anything
could. that would win the people to their
support. When at last seven states were
represented-a quorum OF the thirteen
an organization was effected, and Wash
ington unanimously chosen president OF
the convention. He spoke, when led to
thn' 11alr NJ hn
Of business In which he was to act. Ia
mented his want OF better qualifications,
and claimed the indulgence of the house
towards the involuntary errors which his
inexperience might occasion" but no
mere parlamentarian could have given
that anxious body such steadiness in
business Or such grave earnestness In
counsel as It got from his presence and
influence In the chair.
Five more states were in attendance
before deliberation was very far ad-
see his own friends lead upon the floor.
II was the plan which Edmund Randolph
proposed, for his fellow Virigians. which
the convention accepted as model 10
work from; II was James Madison. that
young master of counsel who guided the
deliberations from day to day, little as
he showed his hand in the work or
seemed to put himself forward in de-
bate. No speeches came from the presi-
dent; only once OF twice did he break
the decorum OF his office TO temper some
difference OF opinion or faclntate some
measure OF accommodation.
CONVENTION ENDS.
1t was the 18th of September when the
convention at last broke up; the 18th
when the constitution it had wrought out
was published to the country. All the
slow summer through, Washington had
kept counsel with the rest as to the
anxious work that was going forward
behind the closed doors OF the long con-
ference: it was grateful relief to be rid
OF the painful strain, and he returned to
Mount Vernon like one whose part In
the work was done.
tI never saw him SO keen for anything
In my life as he is for the adoption OF
the new scheme of government wrote
q visitor at Mount Vernon to Jeffersons
but he took no other part than his cor
respondence afforded him In the agita-
ton for its acceptance.
The new constitution made sure OF.
and a time set by congress for the cleo
tions and the organization of a new gov
ernment under IT. the country turned as
one man to Washington TO he the first
president OF the United States,
I'VE cannot. sir, do without you cried
Governor Johnson OF Maryland, and L
and thousands more car explain to any
body but yourself why we cannot do
without you.
To make any one else president, 1T
seemed to men everywhere, would be like
crowning a subject while the king was
by. But Washington held back. as he
had held back from attending the con-