Page:Republican Court by Rufus Griswold.djvu/142

the Convention, as if by the all-disposing election of the Sovereign Ruler of the world, was now, by the common sense, affection, and reverence, made vital by the same Divine Influence, called to the highest place in the completely organized nation. The sincerity of his nature was so conspicuous that no one doubted his avowed reluctance to be further engaged in affairs, though in the most honorable, dignified, and responsible office that had ever been created by a free people; and it was felt that no addition could be made to his glory, so that his acceptance of the Presidency must be a consequence only of his self-sacrificing love of country; but to this the whole people appealed, and when he consented, notwithstanding his advanced season of life, his increased fondness for agricultural amusements, his growing love of retirement, and decided predilection for the character of a private citizen, to hazard his former reputation, and encounter new fatigues and troubles, it was no longer questioned that the sublimest revolution in human history was successful; that the institutions of liberty were firmly established; that a new and beneficent power was inaugurated which would preserve for its authors, to the latest ages, such grateful respect as is due to the benefactors of mankind.

II.

The first Congress under the Constitution came together very slowly. The day appointed for its meeting was the fourth of March, 1789, and at morning, noon and evening on that day there was firing of cannon and ringing of bells in the city; but only eight senators and thirteen representatives, not enough for a quorum in either house, made their appearance; and though circulars were repeatedly sent to the absent members it was near the end of the month before a sufficient number came in for one or the other branch to organize. This was partly owing to the desultory habits in every-