The signing

The cobbled streets outside Independence Hall were covered with dirt to deaden traffic's sound that it might not disrupt the meditation of delegates. The Articles of Confederation, after many troubled years, had been found dangerously weak. The government might fall. unable to unite and create a nation. The delegates instated an institution, a Republic, with the significant phrases which, even today, our country follows and praises: ``the bill of rights,'' authority ``to defend,'' ``a more perfect union,'' plus methods to amend, ``promote the general welfare'' and ``establish justice.'' (On-going duties for which they had to trust us!) Thus was justified, and confirmed, our revolution as our founding fathers signed our constitution. (Adopted by delegates Sept. 17, 1787; ratified June 21, 1788.)