gether wrote, and published in a New York newspaper, a series of articles which now constitute one work entitled "The Federalist." Of the eighty-five papers in the work, Mr. Hamilton probably wrote about sixty, Mr. Jay five or six, and Mr. Madison the remainder. They are rich in historical illustrations, and discuss thoroughly and ably the various objections to the new government.

THE OBJECTS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

Preamble.

The objects of the Constitution are stated in the brief preamble: "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

The language used in this preamble throws much light upon the nature of the new union.

than

1. Union.

It was to be a "more perfect union had previously existed. That union was a league of States, and perhaps as perfect as such a union could be. To improve it, its nature must be changed. Hence, instead of a league of States, a union of people is formed. A nation is organized, instead of a confederation. The underlying principle of the constitutional government is national, not federal. The people of the United States is one people. The Constitution is ordained and established by this people, for this people. While the instrument, as we shall see, recognizes the existence of States, and provides for their continuance, it does not derive its authority from them; they are not

the original parties to the agreement, nor are they, as States, subjects of the government. The people of the United States by this act constitute one state, whose name is the United States of America.

While each State had its own judicial tribunals, and aimed to secure justice among its own citi

2. Justice.

zens, the local laws frequently discriminated most unjustly against the citizens of other States. This was especially true of the laws relative to the payment of debts. In the settlement of disputes concerning the property of citizens of foreign nations, there was no uniformity; and the treaties with those nations were persistently violated by local legislation. There was an absolute necessity for some tribunal possessing supreme authority, which should have a national jurisdiction, by which inter-state and international justice should be established.

3. Domestic

During the period of the confederation, the country was in a most deplorable condition. There Tranquillity. was a complete stagnation in business. The States were burdened by heavy war debts; and many of the citizens were bankrupt. Taxes were necessarily heavy, but the poverty of the people made them seem doubly oppressive. In this state of affairs, in 1786, the peace of Massachusetts was disturbed by persons who gathered in large numbers at the various county towns in the western and central parts of the State, to prevent the holding of the courts. These people complained that the government was extravagant and oppressive; that the courts were held in the interests of the rich. They demanded that the taxes should be lightened, and that the suits for debt should be stayed. The tone and actions of these men were so

alarming, and their number so formidable, that it became necessary to call out the militia of the State. They were finally dispersed after one or two slight engagements, with the loss of several lives. This disturbance is called Shays' Rebellion, from Daniel Shays, one of the leaders of the insurgents. If some action were not taken by which the public credit could be restored, and the various industries of the people revived, such disturbances were likely to occur at any time and in any locality. Hence the third object of the Constitution was stated to be "to insure domestic tranquillity."

"To provide for the common defence" had been the leading object in all the various move

ments towards union. To secure this, the

4. Defence.

heartiest co-operation of all the States was needed. But, in the present state of affairs, voluntary co-operation could not be hoped for. There must be a central authority competent to inspire confidence at home and respect abroad. The general government must have the power to raise armies, and the power of taxation to support them. Only in this way could the common defence be longer provided for.

5. General Welfare.

All the objects that have been stated would, if attained, have tended "to promote the general welfare;" but there were more direct benefits to be hoped from a national government. Regulating commerce, fostering industries irrespective of sectional interests, carrying on internal improvements, establishing communication between the States, encouraging science-all these it was the object of the Constitution to secure.

The final object of the Constitution is stated to be,

"to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and

6. Security of
Liberty.

our posterity."

Since the settlement of

the colonies, their history had been one continual struggle for liberty. This boon they had now acquired. But it needed no peculiar sagacity to foresee that thirteen small sovereign States could not exist side by side, and all retain their independence. Mutual jealousies would provoke hostility; the weaker would become the prey of the stronger; and, thus divided, all might again be brought under the power of some foreign state. History furnishes numerous illustrations of such disasters. To secure the blessings of liberty was as necessary as to acquire them.

While this preamble confers no powers upon the government under the Constitution, it serves to show the scope of its powers, and to throw light upon the interpretation of obscure provisions. We have now to examine the constitution in detail to see how it accomplishes the objects for which the people ordained it.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.

ALL legislative powers granted by the Constitution are vested in a Congress of the United

States, which consists of a Senate and
House of Representatives.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Name.

The number of members of the first House of Representatives was fixed by the Constitution at sixty-five; but subsequently the number

Number of
Members.

has been determined by Congress, and has changed from time to time as the population of the country has increased. The Constitution provides that the number shall at no time exceed one for every thirty thousand inhabitants. The number of members of the present house is two hundred and ninety-two.

Choice.

The representatives are chosen by the people of the several States. The States are divided into congressional districts, in each of which the people elect one representative. But this district system is established by law, not by the Constitution. Any person who, in any State, is entitled by law to vote for members of the larger branch of the legislature, may vote for representative in Congress.