Evening star., 1924-11-02
THE CONSTITUTIONAL
BY FREDERIC J. H1SKIN

The Constitution Of the United
government for the whole world. II
is mans most successful attempt to
govern himself. 1t was made by its
founders more in hope than in con-
fidence.
The Constitution is mentioned more
frequently than any other document
in American history. Yet few Ameri-
cans know enough about this cele-
brated paper to make 1t seem real
and vital to them.
Eleven years after the Declaration
of Independence was signed in Inde-
pendence Hall in Philadelphia a
small group of American statesmen
gathered in the same hall to draw ur
plan for running successful
government.
The Revolution was over, but the
struggling Nation was held together
only loosely by the Articles of Con-
federation. Each State was like a
small independent sovereignty. Con-
gress could make laws but it was
given no assurance that these laws
would ever be enforced in the States
Credit was gone. Business was In
bad shape.
Discouraging as the situation was
many people felt that the States
should continue to hold fast to their
individuality and to their powers
But others believed that only q firmly
cemented union OF States would be
strong enough to survive.
At any rate, some chart to guide
the new Nation had to be devised
and 1t seemed likely that a new Con-
stitution would be necessary. So al
Of the thirteen States. except Rhode
Island, agreed to send delegates to a
conference In Philadelphia.
Not all the delegates who were
chosen agreed to attend. Patrick
Henry, the famous Virginia orator
refused to take any part in a con-
ference that was likely to favor a
strong central government-though
after the Constitution was finally
ratified he became its loyal supporter
Famous Men as DeleEnteA
seventy-two men were selected to
attend. but only So came. Many
famous men were present. Thirty
nine of the members of the conven-
ton had served in the Continental
Congress, seven had signed the Dec
laration of Independence. eight had
helped to frame the constitutions of
States, eight had been State gov
ernors and three were nationally re-
garded as authority on governmental
law.
Most prominent perhaps was George
Washington, who was Immediately
elected president of the convention.
Then there was the aged Franklin,
the American Socrates and loved by
the delegates for his ability to tell
a good story.
There was Robert Norris, the man
who financed the American Revolu-
ton, and the pale little man, James
Madison. who secured for himself q
place directly in front of the presid-
ing officer and who wrote steadily,
making notes throughout the entire
convention.
1t was an assembly of young men.
The average age Of the delegates was
43 years. Hamilton was 80 years
old, Madison was SO, John Dayton.
for whom Dayton, Ohio, was named,
was only 81, and Charles Pinckney,
who drew the flrst draft of the Con-
stitution, WAS only 20.
Never perhaps was any important
document drawn up with SO much
secrecy, considering that 55 men de-
bated over it for four months.
The delegates were resolved tn2t
ali Of their proceedings should be
conducted without publicity. This
would enable them to debate ques-
tfons freely without fear OF being
misunderstood by the public. They
would not have ito explain or defend
their opinions while the convention
was in progress, and 1t was easier
for a man to compromise when his
views had not been given wide pub
licity. Thus the delegates agreed
that nothing that was said at the
convention was to be printed or
otherwise communicated.
On one occasion one Of the men,
bers dropped an important paper and
another delegate. finding it, gave 1t
70 Cen Warrington Just before the
convention adjourned that day Wash
ington arose and reprimanded the