(_To Freedom, speaking Hamilton’s words._)
Happy America, if those to whom thou hast entrusted the guardianship of thy infancy know how to provide for thy future repose!
Miserable and undone if their negligence or ignorance permits the spirit of discord to erect her banner on the ruins of your tranquillity!
_Washington looks toward Hamilton who comes up nearer his chief. Freedom blesses him. The crowd shake their fists at him and turn away their faces. The laughter develops into a horrible jeer. Then Freedom speaks and the groups gather more closely together. But from each one of them, during her words, certain individuals detach themselves and move hesitantly until they stand about Hamilton’s feet._]
Will you hear me, People? I understand you, People, as none other can, I serve you, People, as none other can; I tell you, here is your proving time. I bid you cast envy out from your hearts. For none will work you injustice, now, save only yourselves, And no folly will lead you astray now, but your own folly, Therefore, bestir you, People! You may not deny your leaders or your cause or me! You cannot, People, for we are your life!
Tell them this Convention shall never rise until the Constitution is adopted!
Here, my countrymen, let us make a firm stand for our safety, our tranquillity, our dignity, our reputation. It belongs to us to vindicate the honor of the human race. Union will enable us to do it.... The necessity of a constitution is imminent. A nation without a national government is an awful spectacle. Why, then, do you hesitate? The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of the consent of the people. The stream of national power ought to flow immediately from that pure original fountain of all legitimate authority. Let the thirteen states, bound together in an indissoluble union, concur in erecting one great American system, consecrated to the steady administration of the laws, dedicated to the protection of liberty against the enterprises and assaults of ambition, of faction, of anarchy, able to dictate the terms of connection between the old world and the new!
[_Gradually as he spoke, the groups have merged, slowly and diffidently, but surely. At the end they stand all together about his feet, looking up into his face. And the music crashes superbly out and light blazes upon the Spokesmen. And, as they begin to speak, the crowd joins hands and lifts linked arms high, as if to take an oath._]