Essays on the Constitution of the United States: Published during its Discussion by the People, 1787-1788
History
Essays on the Constitution of the United States: Published during its Discussion by the People, 1787-1788
Constitutional history -- United States -- Sources; United States. Constitution
In all these matters and powers given to Congress, their ordinances must
be the supreme law of the land, or they are nothing. They must have
authority to enact any laws for executing their own powers, or those
powers will be evaded by the artful and unjust, and the dishonest trader
will defraud the public of its revenue. As we have every reason to think
this system was honestly planned, we ought to hope it may be honestly and
justly executed. I am sensible that speculation is always liable to error.
If there be any capital defects in this constitution, it is most probable
that experience alone will discover them. Provision is made for an
alteration if, on trial, it be found necessary.
When your children see the candor and greatness of mind, with which you
lay the foundation, they will be inspired with equity to furnish and adorn
the superstructure.
A LANDHOLDER.
The Landholder, VI.
The Connecticut Courant, (Number 1194)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1787.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor
cometh and searcheth him.
TO THE LANDHOLDERS AND FARMERS:
The publication of Col. Mason’s(31) reasons for not signing the new
Constitution, has extorted some truths that would otherwise in all
probability have remained unknown to us all. His reasons, like Mr.
Gerry’s, are most of them _ex post facto_, have been revised in New Y——k
by R. H. L.(32) and by him brought into their present artful and insidious
form. The factious spirit of R. H. L., his implacable hatred to General
Washington, his well-known intrigues against him in the late war, his
attempts to displace him and give the command of the American army to
General Lee, is so recent in your minds it is not necessary to repeat
them. He is supposed to be the author of most of the scurrility poured out
in the New-York papers against the new constitution.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account