Evening journal., 1919-02-20

were accentuated between the states
and, while the Articles of Confedera-
ton framed in IT'S, bnt only adopted
after a delay Of nearly two years. did
something 10 consolidate and unity su-
thorlty as TO the conduct Of foreign
relations, they failed 10 create a cen
trail authority in the Congress as 10
other matters.
AS ] have already pointed out the
Congress had no power OF raising rev.
enue. except what was derived from
the voluntary compliance OF the states
with the acquisitions from time to time
made upon them. Commercial rival
ries soon engendered bad or even hos
tile feeling between neighboring or dis
tant suites, which argued III for fu-
ture peace or the development OF ma
tional consciousness.
I'VE have no time now TO dwell upon
the anxieties OF this period Of Ave or
six years between the Treaty OF Peace
and the adoption Of the Constitution.
But we all know now the debt we owe
to Washington for the part he took In
BRINGING about that consensus OF opin-
ton among the leading men OF the con-
fe leratiOn, which resulted In the call
Of the Convention that assembled In
Philadelphia In June, 1857, and provl-
dentially took upon Itself the framing
OF new Constitution. instead Of at
tempting TO patch up and amend the
old Articles Of Confederation.
ut could not have been otherwise
than that Washington was called again
into the public service as a delegate 10
this Convention, or thai he was az once
chosen as its President Americans
everywhere looked to him for guidance
ard counsel, during those anxious days
Of elaboration and endeavor, 10 remedy
the growing evils OF the political sit
uation. The dlscordant and opposing
elements In the public opinion Of the
different states were reflected In the
minds and opinions Of their delegates to
the Convention, and patriotic as they
were, a feeling Of dependency prevail
ed as to the possibility OF any outcome
that would satisfy The general public.
1T was then that Washington sud
denly interposed that which the his
torian Of This critical period called
brief but immortal speech In TOMS
unwontedly solemn says Flske. he ex-
claimed: 1t Is too probable that no
plan we propose will be adopted Per-
haps another dreadful conflict Is 10 be
sustained. II, 10 please the people. we
offer what we ourselves disapprove.
how can we aiterward defend our
work. Let us raise a standard 10
which the wise and the honest can
repair; The event Is In the hand OF
Cod
"'This noble outburst,' says the his
torlan, carried conviction to everyone,
and henceforth we do not hear that
any attempt was svowedly made to
avoid the issues as they came up. It
was a wholesome tonic. From that mo-
ment, the mood In which they worked
caught something Of the glorious spirit
OF Washington
"The immortal work OF this Con
ventlon came at last from lts hands
in September, 1851 Il was submitted
by Washington, as President Of the
Convention. to the Congress and by the
Congress TO The States, for ratification.
How strange, almost unbelievable, It
seems to US now, that its ratification
by the States should have been doubt
full, and that on the part OF some OF
the most powerful should have been
opposed with stubborn bitterness.
ut does not detract from the just
fame Of Hamilton and Madison and
their compeers Whose patriotic work
in overcoming opposition in New York
and Virginia was so splendidl, to say
that The character Of Washington and
his influence with the people throush-'
out The confederacy, gave his advo-
cacy Of the Constitution an Importance
that attached TO that OF no other in
dIvidual. Prominent as Washington
was among those who declared for our f,
and struggled for It's
through The long and
stressful years OF the Revolution. be
was no less prominent among the pro-
lasonlsts who erected this Republic OF
Republics upon the foundation OF the
historical sovereignty Of The States, and
clothed its central government with all
lie authority and sovereignty neces-
sary for the common defense and gen
eral welfare Of the people. We are
amazed now at the wisdom; practical
saoacity and self control that achieved
This wonderful result and we must rev
srently and srately believe that Its con-
was the design OF that ON
1ipotent Power that rules the destiny
Of Nations.
1.-THE new Nation was now 10 embark
On what then seemed its hazardous
voyage. All doubts and contentious
we're for the moment resolved BY the
with which the people Of
IN the States sisnifled their choice of
as their first President. as
blot OF the ship Of State, over a path
ess sea, without compass and with
,ut chart.
Twe know what Master laid thy
keel,
What Workman wrought thy
ribs Of steel,
Who made each mast, and SAIL.
and rope.
What anvils rang, what ham,
mers beat.
In what forge and what
Were shaped the anchors OF thy
hopel
Fear not each sudden sound and
shock.
It's of the wave and not the
rock:
It's but the tapping OF the sail
And not a rent made by the
galei
In spite Of rock and tempest's
roar,
In spite Of false lights on the
shore,
Sail on nor fear to breast the
seal
Our hearts, our hopes, are all
with thee,
Oitr haarfc otsr hoDas o,,u