XI. Sept. 2 CHAP. Lee,' he moved "that state conventions might have the power to offer to the constitution which was to 1787. be laid before them as many amendments as they 15. pleased; and that these amendments, together with the constitution, should be submitted to another general convention" for a final decision. He was seconded by Mason, who said: "The government as established by the constitution will surely end either in monarchy or a tyrannical aristocracy. As it now stands, I can neither give it my support in Virginia, nor sign it here. With the expedient of another convention I could sign." "I, too," said Charles Pinckney, "object to the power of a majority of congress over commerce; but, apprehending the danger of a general confusion and an ultimate decision by the sword, I shall give the plan my support." Then Gerry counted up eight objections to the constitution, "all" of which he could yet get over, were it not that the legislature had general power to make "necessary and proper laws, to raise "armies and money" without limit, and to establish "a star chamber as to civil cases;" and he, too, contended for a second general convention. On the proposition for another convention all the states answered "No." Washington then put the question of agreeing to the constitution in its present form; and all the states present answered "Aye." The constitution was then ordered to be engrossed, and late on the evening of Saturday the house adjourned.* XI. 17. One morning Washington, in a desultory conver- CHAP. sation with members of the convention before the chair was taken, observed how unhappy it would be 1787. should any of them oppose the system when they returned to their states.' On Monday, the seventeenth Sept. of September, Franklin made a last effort to win over the dissenting members. "Mr. President," said he, "several parts of this constitution I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. It astonishes me to find this system approaching so near to perfection. I consent to this constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors I sacrifice to the public good. 2 "On the whole, sir, I cannot help expressing a wish that every member of the convention, who may still have objections to it, would with me on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and, to manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument." He then moved that the constitution be signed by the members; and he offered as the form of signature a simple testimony that the constitution had received "the unanimous consent of the states present." But this ample concession induced neither Mason, nor Gerry, nor Randolph to relent. 3 Before the question was put, Gorham, obeying an intimation from Washington, proposed to render the house of representatives a more popular body by allowing one member for every thirty thousand inhabi Gilpin, 1597, 1598; Elliot, 554, 1 Luther Martin in Maryland Journal of 21 March, 1788. 2 CHAP. tants. He was warmly seconded by King and Car XI. 1787. Sept. roll.' Rising to put the question, the president, after an 17. apology for offering his sentiments, said: "I would make objections to the plan as few as possible. The smallness of the number of representatives has been considered by many members as insufficient security for the rights and interests of the people; and to my. self has always appeared exceptionable; late as is the moment, it will give me much satisfaction to see the amendment adopted unanimously." And at his word it was so adopted. 2 On the question to agree to the engrossed constitution, all the states answered "Aye." Randolph then apologized for refusing to sign the constitution, "notwithstanding the vast majority and the venerable names which gave sanction to its wisdom and its worth. I do not mean by this refusal," he continued, "to decide that I shall oppose the constitution without doors; I mean only to keep myself free to be governed by my duty, as it shall be prescribed by my future judgment." "I, too, had objections," said Gouverneur Morris ; "but considering the present plan the best that can be obtained, I shall take it with all its faults. The moment it goes forth, the great question will be: 'Shall there be a national government, or a general anarchy ?'" "I am anxious," said Hamilton, "that every member should sign. A few by refusing may do infinite Gilpin, 1600; Elliot, 556. Ibid. 1 Gilpin, 1599; Elliot, 555. 556. 3 XI. mischief. No man's ideas are more remote from the CHAP. plan than my own are known to be; but is it possible Sept. to deliberate between anarchy and convulsion on the 1787. one side, and the chance of good to be expected from 17. the plan on the other?"1 "I," said Gerry, "fear a civil war. In Massachusetts there are two parties: one devoted to democracy, the worst, I think, of all political evils; the other as violent in the opposite extreme. From the collision of these, confusion is greatly to be feared." "I shall sign the constitution with a view to support it with all my influence," said Cotesworth Pinckney, "and I wish to pledge myself accordingly.' Jared Ingersoll, of Pennsylvania, considered the signing as a recommendation of what, all things considered, was the most eligible. The form proposed by Franklin was accepted with no dissent, except that South Carolina was impatient at its want of an affirmative expression of unhesitating approval. The journals and The journals and papers of the convention were confided to the care of the president, subject to the order of the new government when it should be formed.' Hamilton, in a bold, plain hand, successively inscribed on the great sheet of parchment the name of each state, as the delegations one after the other came forward in geographical order and signed the constitution. When it appeared that the unanimous consent of all the eleven states present in convention was recorded in its favor, Franklin, looking toward a sun which was blazoned on the * Gilpin, 1605; Elliot, 558. 2 1 Gilpin, 1601; Elliot, 556. Gilpin, 1603, 1604; Elliot, 558. CHAP. president's chair, said of it to those near him: "In XI. the vicissitudes of hope and fear I was not able to 1787. tell whether it is rising or setting; now I know that 17. it is the rising sun."1 Sept. The members were awe-struck at the result of their councils; the constitution was a nobler work than any one of them had believed it possible to devise. They all on that day dined together, and took a cordial leave of each other. Washington at an early hour of the evening retired "to meditate on the momentous work which had been executed."" Gilpin, 1624; Elliot, 565. 2 Diary of Washington for the day. |