The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2Madison, James
History
The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2
Madison, James
Constitutional law -- United States; Constitutions -- United States; United States. Constitution
According to the idea of one Gentleman (M^r Mercer)
our Government it seems is to be a Gov^t of plunder. In that case it
certainly would be prudent to have but one rather than many to be
employed in it. We cannot be too circumspect in the formation of this
System. It will be examined on all sides and with a very suspicious eye.
The people who have been so lately in arms ag^{st} G. B. for their
liberties, will not easily give them up. He lamented the evils existing
at present under our Governments, but imputed them to the faults of
those in office, not to the people. The misdeeds of the former will
produce a critical attention to the opportunities afforded by the new
system to like or greater abuses. As it now stands it is as compleat an
aristocracy as ever was framed. If great powers should be given to the
Senate we shall be governed in reality by a Junto as has been
apprehended. He remarked that it would be very differently constituted
from Cong^s. 1. there will be but 2 deputies from each State, in Cong^s
there may be 7. and are generally 5.--2. they are chosen for six years,
those of Congress annually. 3. they are not subject to recall; those of
Cong^s are. 4. In Congress 9 _States_ are necessary for all great
purposes, here 8 _persons_ will suffice. Is it to be presumed that the
people will ever agree to such a system? He moved to render the members
of the H. of Rep^s as well as of the Senate ineligible not only during,
but for one year after the expiration of their terms.--If it should be
thought that this will injure the Legislature by keeping out of it men
of abilities who are willing to serve in other offices it may be
required as a qualification for other offices, that the Candidate shall
have served a certain time in the Legislature.
M^r Gov^r Morris. Exclude the officers of the army & navy, and you form
a band having a different interest from & opposed to the civil power:
you stimulate them to despise & reproach those "talking Lords who dare
not face the foe." Let this spirit be roused at the end of a war, before
your troops shall have laid down their arms, and though the Civil
authority "be intrenched in parchment to the teeth" they will cut their
way to it. He was ag^{st} rendering the members of the Legislature
ineligible to offices. He was for rendering them eligible ag^n after
having vacated their Seats by accepting office. Why should we not avail
ourselves of their services if the people chuse to give them their
confidence. There can be little danger of corruption either among the
people or the Legislatures who are to be the Electors. If they say, we
see their merits, we honor the men, we chuse to renew our confidence in
them, have they not a right to give them a preference; and can they be
properly abridged of it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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