itions, failed to act before the
Convention was well under way. Delegates, however, arrived in time to
share in some of the most important proceedings. Rhode Island alone
refused to take part, although a letter signed by some of the prominent
men was sent to the Convention pledging their support.

CHAPTER VI. THE FEDERAL CONVENTION

The body of delegates which met in Philadelphia in 1787 was the
most important convention that ever sat in the United States. The
Confederation was a failure, and if the new nation was to be justified
in the eyes of the world, it must show itself capable of effective
union. The members of the Convention realized the significance of the
task before them, which was, as Madison said, "now to decide forever
the fate of Republican government." Gouverneur Morris, with unwonted
seriousness, declared: "The whole human race will be affected by the
proceedings of this Convention." James Wilson spoke with equal gravity:
"After the lapse of six thousand years since the creation of the world
America now presents the first instance of a people assembled to weigh
deliberately and calmly and to decide leisurely and peaceably upon
the form of government by which they will bind themselves and their
posterity."

Not all the men to whom this undertaking was entrusted, and who were
taking themselves and their work so seriously, could pretend to social
distinction, but practically all belonged to the upper ruling class. At
the Indian Queen, a tavern on Fourth Street between Market and Chestnut,
some of the delegates had a hall in which they lived by themselves.
The meetings of the Convention were held in an upper room of the State
House. The sessions were secret; sentries were placed at the door to
keep away all intruders; and the pavement of the street in front of
the building was covered with loose earth so that the noises of passing
traffic should not disturb this august assembly. It is not surprising
that a tradition grew up about the Federal Convention which hedged it
round with a sort of awe and reverence. Even Thomas Jefferson referred
to it as "an assembly of demigods." If we can get away from the glamour
which has been spread over the work of the Fathers of the Constitution
and understand that they were human beings, even as we are, and
influenced by the same motives as other men, it may be possible to
obtain a more faithful impression of what actually took place.

Since representation in the Con