Count the Cost: An Address to the People of Connecticut, On Sundry Political Subjects, and Particularly on the Proposition for a New ConstitutionDaggett, David
History
Count the Cost: An Address to the People of Connecticut, On Sundry Political Subjects, and Particularly on the Proposition for a New Constitution
Daggett, David
Connecticut -- Politics and government -- 1775-1865; Constitutional law -- Connecticut
Read this address attentively, and you will be struck with the idea that
no grievance is mentioned----not a single evil is pointed out---indeed
the Convention declare that they must be "excused a detail of the
numerous wrongs which have arrived to us under this Government"----these
are their words---they are excused indeed---yes, they are excused from
not polluting their address with falsehoods in this particular---full
well they knew that no such wrongs existed----full well they anticipated
that a certain detection would follow any such attempt at imposition.
The leaders in this Convention knew full well that there is intelligence
enough in Connecticut to meet them on any complaint, and to shew that it
is groundless. They, therefore, prudently decline to be explicit, and
yielding to us that the Government is now well administered, they shew a
great anxiety for the safety of the "next generation." What an astonishing
display of philanthropy!! Bishop and Wolcott are not at ease in their
hearts while there is a prospect that even the generations which succeed
us, will experience a woe!!
After many remarks directed to the passions, without proposing in
specific terms a single provision of their newly projected Constitution,
without laying their finger upon a single grievance, without urging a
single argument tending to shew that a Constitution does not exist, the
address unmakes itself---it unmasks the Convention---it unmasks these
patriotic Delegates, and discovers the true cause of this Jacobinic
meeting. Towards the close of it, speaking of the people, it says, "By
their votes will be known their decision. If a Constitution appears
desirable, they will vote for men who are in favor of it." Here the
Convention speak which all may understand---but lest they had not made
themselves sufficiently intelligible, they add, "We ask men of all
parties to attend punctually at proxies and to continue a contest of
votes till the great question whether this state shall have a
Constitution be settled finally and forever." Now, the plain English of
these sentences is this "We who are here assembled in Convention wish
the people of Connecticut to vote for such men, in future, for office,
as are in favor of a new Constitution---we have already declared that we
are in favor of such a Constitution---pray therefore vote for us and
continue" the context "till we succeed and then"---yes---my fellow-
citizens, and then, what will they do? Why laugh at your folly---take
all the offices and leave you to take care of yourselves. IF such would
not be their conduct then the sun will no more rise in the east.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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