submission to the states. Probably the greatest influence in its behalf was a series of remarkable papers, now collectively known as the Federalist, written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, explaining

HENRY CLAY SPEAKING IN SENATE

and defending the new form of government. The requisite number of states having given their approval by the summer of 1788, the Continental Congress declared the Constitution adopted, and appointed the first Wednesday in March, 1789, as

the day for the assembling of the first Congress. On account of various delays it was not until April 30 that George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States of America.

"The convention had been in session 81 continuous days. Probably they had consumed over 400 hours in debate. If their debates had been fully reported, they would probably have filled at least fifty volumes, and yet the net result of their

labors consisted of about 4000 words, 89 sentences, and about 140 distinct provisions." As the late Lord Bryce said, "History knows few instruments which in so few words lay down equally momentous rules on a vast range of matters of highest importance and complexity."

Justice Harlan describes this as "the wisest assemblage of public servants that ever convened in the history of the world," and of their accomplishment Gladstone, the great English statesman, said: "The American Constitution is the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man."

RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

The

of the Constitution

Article XIII of the Articles of Confederation

Adoption provided that the union created thereby should be perpetual, and that no alteration should be made at any time without the consent of every state. The adoption of the Constitution by nine states was, therefore, an act of secession from the union created by the Articles of Confederation, and was in effect

Really a
Revolu-

tion.

a revolution. Though bloodless, it was as truly a revolution as was the struggle with England by which the colonies gained independence. Changed circumstances and conditions demanded new methods of government, and as men became more intelligent and enlightened in regard to political affairs those constitutions and laws which failed to meet adequately the needs of the time had to give way to other and more progressive forms of government which met the approval of the governed.

THE CONSTITUTION

The main features of the Constitution are as Main follows:

(1) A PREAMBLE, or introduction which is really
the enacting clause, telling why and by whom
the Constitution is adopted.

Who "We the people of the United States
in order to

Why

(1) form a more perfect union,
(2) establish justice,

(3) insure domestic tranquillity,
(4) provide for the common defence,
(5) promote the general welfare, and
(6) secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity,

What do ordain and establish this Constitu\tion for the United States of America." (2) THE THREE DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT.

Features.

The Legislative Department, whose duty Legislais to make the laws. This department tive. consists of a Congress composed of:

Execu

tive.

Judicial.

А Ресиliarity

of our Govern

ment.

Permanency of the Constitution.

(a) A Senate, which represents the states, and
in which each state has an equal vote.
(b) A House of Representatives, which repre-
sents the people, and in which represen-
tation is based on population.

(c) The Executive Department, consisting of a
President, whose duty is to enforce the
laws.

(d) The Judicial Department, consisting of a Supreme Court and inferior courts, whose duty is to interpret the laws.

Our government differs from all other governments in that the Supreme Court has the power to decide whether the laws enacted by Congress or the state legislatures are in harmony with the Constitution. A law declared unconstitutional by this court becomes inoperative or dead.

The great Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who defined and established its scope was John Marshall. In the thirty-five years that he presided over its deliberations, he did much for the establishment of the new government by his just and wise decisions, which so truly interpreted the Constitution in the spirit in which it was founded. His name holds equal rank with those of Washington, Franklin, Madison, Hamilton, and Jefferson in the making of the new nation.

The Constitution is the mere skeleton or framework of our government. The amendments, the laws enacted by Congress, the treaties with foreign powers, which by the Constitution are a part of the supreme law of the land, and the decisions of the