The Convention was at length called; and its product, the present Federal Constitution, was submitted for ratification to the States. In most of them, Conventions were likewise called, to adopt or reject it. Mr. Marshall, though the people of his county were decidedly opposed to the new Constitution, and though he avowed on the hustings his determination to support it, was elected to the Virginia Convention by a considerable majority. In that body, he took an effective, if not a leading part. Three able speeches of his, in behalf of the Constitution, appear in Mr. Robertson's report of the Debates: Speeches, seconding with "masculine logic, the persuasive talents of George Nicholas, the animated flow of Governor Randolph, the grave and sententious sagacity of Pendleton, the consummate skill and various knowledge of Madison."[8] After an earnest and powerful struggle of 25 days, the Constitution was agreed to, by a majority of but ten votes--89 to 79. This result is supposed to have been promoted, by the news, received while the Convention sat, that nine states had come to a similar decision. The accession of Virginia to that number, already large enough to give the instrument validity among the adopting states, ensured its complete success; and was hailed by its friends with the liveliest joy. [Footnote 8: Judge Story.] Judge Story depicts in vivid colors, the happy effects of the Government thus established, upon our prosperity: and exults over the falsified apprehensions of those who, clinging "with an insane attachment" to the former confederation, and "accustomed to have all their affections concentrated upon the State governments," saw in the new system "but another name for an overwhelming despotism." Undoubtedly, the state of things which preceded the change, was as bad as, with such a people, it could well be. Undoubtedly, the new government did _very_ much, to retrieve our national credit and honor; to make us respected abroad, tranquil and prosperous at home. But still, not _all_ is due to the Government. A people, animated with the spirit of freedom, enlightened enough to see their interests, and enterprising enough to pursue them strenuously,--inhabiting, too, a country not peopled to the extent of a thousandth part of its immense capabilities--would thrive and grow powerful _in spite_ of what almost any government could do to impede their onward march. In the body politic there is, what physicians ascribe to the body natural, a _vis medicatrix Naturæ_, by which the wounds of War, the desolations of Pestilence, and all the ills flowing from the blunders of _charlatan_ statesmen, are healed and made amends for. Few are so bigoted as not to admit, that the self-healing energies of our country have thus at some times prevailed over the hurtful tendencies of the {185} measures adopted by her rulers. There is nevertheless a force and beauty in