[Illustration:  AN ADVERTISEMENT OF The Federalist]

=Defense of the Constitution.=—­Moved by the tempest of opposition, Hamilton, Madison, and Jay took up their pens in defense of the Constitution.  In a series of newspaper articles they discussed and expounded with eloquence, learning, and dignity every important clause and provision of the proposed plan.  These papers, afterwards collected and published in a volume known as The Federalist, form the finest textbook on the Constitution that has ever been printed.  It takes its place, moreover, among the wisest and weightiest treatises on government ever written in any language in any time.  Other men, not so gifted, were no less earnest in their support of ratification.  In private correspondence, editorials, pamphlets, and letters to the newspapers, they urged their countrymen to forget their partisanship and accept a Constitution which, in spite of any defects great or small, was the only guarantee against dissolution and warfare at home and dishonor and weakness abroad.

[Illustration:  CELEBRATING THE RATIFICATION]

=The Action of the State Conventions.=—­Before the end of the year, 1787, three states had ratified the Constitution:  Delaware and New Jersey unanimously and Pennsylvania after a short, though savage, contest.  Connecticut and Georgia followed early the next year.  Then came the battle royal in Massachusetts, ending in ratification in February by the narrow margin of 187 votes to 168.  In the spring came the news that Maryland and South Carolina were “under the new roof.”  On June 21, New Hampshire, where the sentiment was at first strong enough to defeat the Constitution, joined the new republic, influenced by the favorable decision in Massachusetts.  Swift couriers were sent to carry the news to New York and Virginia, where the question of ratification was still undecided.  Nine states had accepted it and were united, whether more saw fit to join or not.

Meanwhile, however, Virginia, after a long and searching debate, had given her approval by a narrow margin, leaving New York as the next seat of anxiety.  In that state the popular vote for the delegates to the convention had been clearly and heavily against ratification.  Events finally demonstrated the futility of resistance, and Hamilton by good judgment and masterly arguments was at last able to marshal a majority of thirty to twenty-seven votes in favor of ratification.

The great contest was over.  All the states, except North Carolina and Rhode Island, had ratified.  “The sloop Anarchy,” wrote an ebullient journalist, “when last heard from was ashore on Union rocks.”

=The First Election.=—­In the autumn of 1788, elections were held to fill the places in the new government.  Public opinion was overwhelmingly in favor of Washington as the first President.  Yielding to the importunities of friends, he accepted the post in the spirit of public service.  On April 30, 1789, he took the oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City.  “Long live George Washington, President of the United States!” cried Chancellor Livingston as soon as the General had kissed the Bible.  The cry was caught by the assembled multitude and given back.  A new experiment in popular government was launched.