124

Sept. 13. Robert Hoe, inventor of the Hoe press, died in New York, aged 70.

Nov. 4. Cleveland and Hendricks elected.

1885.

Jan. 1. The Washington Monument dedicated at Washington, D. C. Schuyler Colfax died at Mankato, Minn., aged 62.

March 4. Grover Cleveland inaugurated President.

July 23. Gen. U. S. Grant died at Mt. McGregor, N. Y., aged 65 years.

Aug. 8. Gen. Grant buried, New York.

Oct. 29. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan died at Orange, N. J.

Nov. 25. Vice-President Hendricks died at Indianapolis, Ind., aged 66.

1886.

Feb. 9. Gen. W. S. Hancock died at Governor's Island, N. Y., aged 62.

Feb. 12. Ex-Governor Horatio Seymour died at Utica, N. Y., aged 76.

May 4. Anarchist riots in Chicago.

June 26. Hon. David Davis died at Bloomington, Ill., aged 74.

Aug. 14. Hon. Samuel J. Tilden died at Greystone, N. Y., aged 72.

Dec. 27. Gen. soâu A. Logan dieu, aged 01.

1887.

Jan. 11. Bill creating Department of Agricul ture and Labor passed by the National House of Representatives.

Jan. 14. The U. S. Senate passed the Inter-State Commerce Bill.

Feb. 4. President Cleveland signs the InterState Commerce Bill.

Feb. 5. Terrible R. R. accident near White River Junction, Vt. Forty-six persons killed and many injured.

March 8. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher dies. March 31. John G. Saxe, humorous poet, dies. May. 9. The American Exhibition formally opened in London, England.

May 19. The steaemrs Celtic and Britannic, of the White Star Line, collide near Sandy Hook.

June 4. Ex-Vice-President Wheeler died at Malone, N. Y,, aged 68.

Aug. 10. Fearful R. R. accident near Chatworth, Ill. More than 100 killed and 300 injured. August 28. Ute Indian War in Colorado at an

end.

Oct. 29. Propeller Vernon lost near Manitowoc Wis. Fifty lives lost.

Nov. 11. Anarchists Spies, Parsons, Fischer, and Engle executed at Chicago.

Dec. 24. Daniel J. Manning, ex-Secretary of the U. S. Treasury, died at Albany, N. Y., aged 56.

HE Constitution of the United States was adopted in 1789. It was framed by delegates from twelve of the "thirteen" states which declared themselves independent of the Government of Great Britain, in 1776. A Convention was called by the Continental Congress for the purpose of framing a Constitution, and all the states sent delegates except Rhode Island.

The American Colonies were planted along the Atlantic coast under various climates from the rugged north to the sunny south. They were not settled by an entirely homogeneous race, there being Dutch, (Hollanders) Swedes, and persons of other nationalities as well as English among the immigrants. The English settlers differed widely in religious and political views, and in the motives which prompted them to seek a new country. The Colonies were also originally organized and governed in three different modes, known as "Charter," "Proprietary" and "Royal" or "Provincial,, governments.

These diversities, however, were advantageous in the end, as giving rise to a diversity of ideas, experiences and pursuits; and did not prevent the rise and development of a common nationality. Common dangers, hardships and interests, suggested, at a very early period, the necessity of some bond of union, and of some common government.

In 1643, the four Colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, New Haven and Connecticut, formed a league under the title of the United Colonies of New England. This confederation had its Congress of Delegates from each of these Colonies, and continued forty years.

In 1754, commissioners representing New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and Maryland met at Albany, and resolved that a union of all the Colonies was necessary, and recommended a plan of Federal Government.

In 1765, a Convention of Delegates representing nine of the Colonies met in New York, and drew up a document on the subject of taxation, known as a "Declaration of the Rights

and Grievances of the Colonies." This may be regarded as the First Colonial Congress of signal importance.

In 1774, the Second Colonial Congress assembled in Philadelphia, being composed of delegates from all the Colonies, except Georgia. This was the great Congress of the Revolution. It assembled again in May, 1775, (Georgia being then represented), and after watching anxiously the progress of the Revolutionary struggle for more than a year, it assumed the responsibility of severing the connection between the Thirteen Colonies and the Government of Great Britain, by the memorable Declaration of Independence, adopted on the 4th of July, 1776.

This step of course involved the adoption of. some settled plan of general government for the Colonies in place of the one thus cast off, and deliberations upon this subject were coeval with the Declaration of Independence. A committee appointed for the purpose reported a scheme of government for the "United States of America"-which the Colonies had now become-known as the "Articles of Confederation." After considerable discussion, at different sessions, the scheme was agreed 'to by the Continental Congress, in November, 1777.

The Articles were immediately sent to the

several States for their consideration and adɔption. Delays and objections arose, in some of the States, and as the form of government proposed could not go into operation until the consent of all the States was obtained, the Confederation was not established till March, 1781, when the consent of Maryland, the last of the States, was finally given.

Scarcely however had this confederation of the States taken effect, when its weakness and defect as a frame of government began to be seen. When we remember that the leading political sentiment of the colonies for a whole generation had been a feeling of jealousy and a sense of resistance in regard to external government, we shall not wonder that they framed a General Government for themselves of very little force or efficiency. It was devised in time of war, and met many of its exigencies, but was very poorly adapted to a time of peace. It will assist us in understanding and appreciating the Constitution, afterwards adopted, and the reasons for its adoption, if we note the limited and inoperative powers conferred by the Articles of Confederation upon the Continental Congress as the depository and executor of the functions of a General Government for the States: Congress could make treaties, but could not enforce their observance; it could appoint embassadors, but could not

provide for their salaries or expenses; it could borrow money, but was not empowered to pay it; it could co money, but could not import bullion for the purpose; it could declare war, and determine how many troops were necessary to carry it on, but could not raise the troops. It could not legislate directly upon persons and could only recommend the States what action to take; it could punish no one for a breach of neglect of its own enactments; it could levy no taxes and collect no revenue. In short, it could merely recommend what should be done, but was entirely without power to enforce any law or recommendation; and it was soon found that it was in vain to expect that thirteen different States would voluntarily accede to mere recommendations, with any sufficient degree of readiness or unanimity. Efforts were made, without success, to prove an enlargement of the powers of Congress, and it soon became apparent that the Confederation must dissolve from its own weakness, unless a more efficient government were substituted in its place.

In 1785, Commissioners from Maryland and Virginia met to regulate the navigation of waters common to both States, and feeling the want of suitable power to act, recommended a Convention of a larger scope. In 1786, the Legislature of Virginia therefore proposed a gen

eral Convention of Commissioners from the States, to consider matters of general interest. Commissioners were appointed, in five States, who met at Annapolis and drew up a report to be laid before the Continental Congress. In this report it was advised that a General Convention of Delegates should meet and revise the Articles of Confederation.

In February, 1787, Congress acted upon the recommendation and called a Convention to meet in Philadelphia in May following. All the States were represented except Rhode Island. After a long deliberation, attended with much difference of opinion, a Constitution was adopted, and Congress was recommended to lay it before the several States, in Conventions to be held for that purpose, that it might be considered and ratified. This was done; Conventions were held in all the States but Khode Island, and after warm discussions, the Constitution was ratified by all the States except Rhode Island and North Carolina.

As it required the asset of only nine of the States to give effect to the Constitution, Congress, having been informed of the ratification by twelve of the States, took measures, in September, 1788, to put the new form of Government into operation. The first President and Vice President were chosen, and the first Congress, under the Constitution, assembled in