in his sympathies, and perhaps in his manners, to be a favorite.  But he was probably the ablest man of the convention, the most original and creative in his genius, the most comprehensive and far-seeing in his views,—­a man who inspired confidence and respect for his integrity and patriotism, combining intellectual with moral force.  He would have been a great man in any age or country, or in any legislative assembly,—­a man who had great influence over superior minds, as he had over that of Washington, whose confidence he had from first to last.

I am inclined to think that no such an assembly of statesmen has since been seen in this country as that which met to give a constitution to the American Republic.  Of course, I cannot enumerate all the distinguished men.  They were all distinguished,—­men of experience, patriotism, and enlightened minds.  There were fifty-four of these illustrious men,—­the picked men of the land, of whom the nation was proud.  Franklin, now in his eightieth year, was the Nestor of the assembly, covered with honors from home and abroad for his science and his political experience and sagacity,—­a man who received more flattering attentions in France than any American who ever visited it; one of the great savants of the age, dignified, affable, courteous, whom everybody admired and honored.  Washington, too, was there,—­the Ulysses of the war, brave in battle and wise in council, of transcendent dignity of character, whose influence was patriarchal, the synonym of moral greatness, to be revered through all ages and countries; a truly immortal man whose fame has been steadily increasing.  Adams, Jefferson, and Jay, three very great lights, were absent on missions to Europe; but Rufus King, Roger Sherman, Oliver Ellsworth, Livingston, Dickinson, Rutledge, Randolph, Pinckney, Madison, were men of great ability and reputation, independent in their views, but all disposed to unite in the common good.  Some had been delegates to the Stamp Act Congress of 1765; some, members of the Continental Congress of 1774; some, signers of the Declaration of Independence.  There were no political partisans then, as we now understand the word, for the division lines of parties were not then drawn.  All were animated with the desire of conciliation and union.  All felt the necessity of concessions.  They differed in their opinions as to State rights, representation, and slavery.  Some were more democratic, and some more aristocratic than the majority, but all were united in maintaining the independence of the country and in distrust of monarchies.

It is impossible within my narrow limits to describe the deliberations of these patriots, until their work was consummated in the glorious Constitution which is our marvel and our pride.  The discussions first turned on the respective powers to be exercised by the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the proposed central government, and the duration of the terms of service.  Hamilton’s views