peak of
consequences, which may be produced in the revolution of ages, by
corruption of morals, profligacy of manners and listlessness for
the preservation of the natural and unalienable rights of mankind,
nor of the successful usurpations, that may be established at
such an unpropitious juncture upon the ruins of liberty, however
providently guarded and secured; as these are contingencies
against which no human prudence can effectually provide. It will
at least be a recommendation to the proposed constitution, that it
is provided with more checks and barriers against the introduction
of tyranny, and those of a nature less liable to be surmounted,
than any government hitherto instituted among mortals hath
possessed. We are not to expect perfection in this world; but
mankind, in modern times, have apparently made some progress in
the science of government. Should that which is now offered to the
people of America, be found on experiment less perfect than it
can be made, a constitutional door is left open for its
amelioration.[1]

[Footnote 1: Ford, XI, 218-21.]

Thus was accomplished the American Constitution. Gladstone has said of
it in well-known words that, just "as the British Constitution is the
most subtle organism which has proceeded from the womb and the long
gestation of progressive history, so the American Constitution is so
far as I can see the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given
time by the brain and purpose of man."[1] Note that Gladstone does
not name a single or an individual man, which would have been wholly
untrue, for the American Constitution was struck off by the wisdom and
foresight of fifty-five men collectively. There were among them two
or three who might be called transcendent men. It gained its peculiar
value from the fact that it represents the composite of many divergent
opinions and different characters.

[Footnote 1: W.E. Gladstone, _North American Review_, September,
1878.]

Just before the members broke up at their final meeting in
Independence Hall, Benjamin Franklin amused them with a characteristic
bit of raillery. On the back of the President's black chair, a
half sun was carved and emblazoned. "During all these weeks," said
Franklin, "I have often wondered whether that sun was rising or
setting. I know now that it is a rising sun."

The first State to ratify the Constitution was Delaware, on December