gave themselves up to wild demonstrations of joy. The great event was celebrated by processions with emblematic representations of the states, of the French Alliance, of the Union (as the "Ship of State "), and many other figures representing different trades and interests. In the celebration in New York City the name of Hamilton was inscribed upon the car which bore the "Ship of State," in recognition of his influence in bringing about the wished-for result. In Baltimore the name of "Federal Hill" still remains to preserve the memory of the rejoicings in that city. The necessary number of states having given in their adherence, Congress, on September 13, 1788, appointed the first Wednesday in the following January for the choice by the people of electors of a President, the first Wednesday in February for the electors to meet and choose the President and VicePresident, and the first Wednesday in March for the new government to go into operation. This day in 1789 was the fourth of the month, and so the fourth of March, subsequently confirmed by the Congress, came to be the inaugu ration day of each new President.

148. The New Constitution. The new Constitution is radically different from the Articles of Confederation in many points. It provides for a true central government with the power of enforcing its laws and regulations independently of the states; the Congress is no longer an advisory body. Within its sphere the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, the constitutions and laws of the states to the contrary notwithstanding. The national government regulates all matters of national interest, such as peace, war, commerce (both foreign and that between the states), all relations with foreign states, coinage of money, and post-offices. By its exclusive right to levy duties on

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imports, as well as its right to lay and collect other taxes and enforce their payment, the national treasury is forever made independent of the states.

The national government is divided by the Constitution into three parts: the Legislative, or Congress, to make the laws; the Executive, or the President and his subordinates, to carry out the laws which Congress makes; and the Judiciary, or the Supreme Court and lower courts, to try all cases arising under national laws. The United States courts also decide whether laws are constitutional, but this can only be done when real cases are brought up for trial.

149. The Legislative Powers. The legislative power is vested in the Congress of the United States, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Each state has two senators, who are chosen by the state legislatures, and serve six years. Representatives are chosen by the people of the states; they serve two years, and their number in each state is according to the population, but each state is entitled to at least one representative. These two houses, as they are called, must concur in passing laws. When a law is passed by both houses, it is sent to the President for his signature; if he approves of it, he signs it, and it becomes. a law. If he does not approve of it, he returns it to Congress with a message called a veto; if Congress should pass the bill again by a two-thirds vote, it becomes a law in spite of the veto; also if the President does not return the bill within ten days, Sundays excepted, after he receives it, it becomes a law. The Senate has some special powers; when treaties are made by the President, they must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate before they become effective; most of the President's appointments to offices must also be confirmed by the Senate. The election of senators is so arranged that only one-third go

out of office every two years, thus making it a continuous body, unlike the House of Representatives, which must be elected anew every two years. (This does not prevent representatives from being re-elected if the people desire it.)

150. The Executive. The executive power is vested in a President of the United States of America. He holds his office during the term of four years; he is chosen nominally by electors elected by the people. It was originally expected that the electors would choose a man for President, but now they always choose that man who has been nominated by the party which they represent. The President is commanderin-chief of the army and the navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states when called into actual service of the United States; he has the power to make treaties, providing two-thirds of the Senate concur; to nominate and, with the consent of the Senate, appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and most of the important officers of the government. He is to take care that the laws are faithfully executed, and if he is unfaithful or guilty of any crime or misdemeanor, he may be accused by the House of Representatives and tried by the Senate. A Vice-President is elected at the same time as the President to take his place in case of the removal of the President from office or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the duties of the office. The Vice-President is the presiding officer of the Senate, but has no vote except in the case of a tie. Both the President and the Vice-President must be native-born citizens of the United States and be at least thirty-five years old.

151. The Judiciary. The judicial power of the United States is vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior

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courts as the Congress may from time to time establish. All the judges hold office during good behavior. Whenever any of the laws of the national government are broken, or a question arises as to the meaning of a law, or as to whether any law is in accordance with the Constitution, the case, with a few exceptions, is tried in one of the inferior courts. If the persons concerned are not satisfied with the decision, they may appeal to a higher court, and in certain cases to the Supreme Court whose decision is final.

152. Amendment; Checks and Balances. One of the most important features of the Constitution is the provision made for amendment; but no change can be made without the concurrence of three-fourths of the states; and no state can in any case be deprived of its equal representation in the Senate.

It will be seen that the new government is full of checks and balances, the most important of which are two houses of Congress, the veto power of the President, the power of the Supreme Court to pronounce a law unconstitutional, and the frequent election of representatives. The Constitution is "perhaps the most remarkable monument of political wisdom known to history. The convention which framed it was composed of the choicest material in the community, and was led astray by no theories of what might be good, but clave closely to what experience had demonstrated to be good."

CHAPTER VIII.

ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

REFERENCES.

General. - R. Hildreth, History of the United States, iv. Chaps. i.-ix., v. Chaps. x.-xiv.; Bryant and Gay, Popular History of the United States, iv. 100-144; J. Schouler, History of the United States, i. 74–501; J. B. McMaster, History of the People of the United States, i. 525-604, ii. 1–567; A. B. Hart, Formation of the Union (Epochs of American History), pp. 136–175; E. Channing, The United States, Chaps. v. and vi.

Biographies. — See References to Chaps. vi. and ix.

Special. - For Ordinance of 1787: Document, Old South Leaflets, No. 13; B. A. Hinsdale, Old Northwest, pp. 255-316; W. F. Poole, North American Review, April, 1876. For Inauguration of Washington: Century Magazine, April, 1889; Harper's Magazine, April, 1889; Magazine of American History, December, 1888; February, April, May, 1889; Old South Leaflets, No. 10, Washington's Inaugurals; Farewell Address: Old South Leaflets, No. 4; Washington's Funeral Oration: Old South Leaflets, No. 38. For Whiskey Insurrection: J. A. Stevens, Albert Gallatin, pp. 69-99; J. B. McMaster, History of the People of the United States, ii. 41-43, 189-204. For Party Feeling: J. Bryce, American Commonwealths, Chap. liii.; A. Johnston, American Politics, pp. 35-37; Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, vii. Chap. v. For Jay's Treaty: G. Pellew, John Jay; Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, vii. 466-491. For Alien and Sedition Laws, and Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions: A. Johnston, American Politics, pp. 43-47; E. D. Warfield, Kentucky Resolutions, 1798. For French Difficulties: D. C. Gilman, James Monroe, pp. 44-69; Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, vii. 471-476. For Elections of Adams and of Jefferson: E. Stanwood, History of Presidential Elections, pp. 24-44. For John Marshall: A. B. Magruder; John Marshall, Century Magazine, September, 1889.

153. Washington President; Starting the New Government. (1789.) The 4th of March was the day fixed upon for the