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
M^r Williamson suggested that the signing should be confined to the
letter accompanying the Constitution to Congress, which might perhaps do
nearly as well, and would be found satisfactory to some members[103] who
disliked the Constitution. For himself he did not think a better plan
was to be expected and had no scruples against putting his name to it.
[103] He alluded to M^r Blount for one.--Madison's Note.
M^r Hamilton expressed his anxiety that every member should sign. A few
characters of consequence, by opposing or even refusing to sign the
Constitution, might do infinite mischief by kindling the latent sparks
which lurk under an enthusiasm in favor of the Convention which may soon
subside. No man's ideas were more remote from the plan than his own were
known to be; but is it possible to deliberate between anarchy and
Convulsion on one side, and the chance of good to be expected from the
plan on the other.
M^r Blount[104] said he had declared that he would not sign, so as to
pledge himself in support of the plan, but he was relieved by the form
proposed and would without committing himself attest the fact that the
plan was the unanimous act of the States in Convention.
[104] "Mr. Blount is a character strongly marked for integrity
and honor. He has been twice a Member of Congress, and in
that office discharged his duty with ability and
faithfulness. He is no Speaker, nor does he possess any of
those talents that make Men shine;--he is plain, honest, and
sincere. Mr. Blount is about 36 years of age."--Pierce's
Notes, _Amer. Hist. Rev._, iii., 329.
Doc^r Franklin expressed his fears from what M^r Randolph had said, that
he thought himself alluded to in the remarks offered this morning to the
House. He declared that when drawing up that paper he did not know that
any particular member would refuse to sign his name to the instrument,
and hoped to be so understood. He possessed a high sense of obligation
to M^r Randolph for having brought forward the plan in the first
instance, and for the assistance he had given in its progress, and hoped
that he would yet lay aside his objections, and by concurring with his
brethren, prevent the great mischief which the refusal of his name might
produce.
M^r Randolph could not but regard the signing in the proposed form, as
the same with signing the Constitution. The change of form therefore
could make no difference with him. He repeated that in refusing to sign
the Constitution he took a step which might be the most awful of his
life, but it was dictated by his conscience, and it was not possible for
him to hesitate, much less, to change. He repeated also his persuasion,
that the holding out this plan with a final alternative to the people,
of accepting or rejecting it in toto, would really produce the anarchy &
civil convulsions which were apprehended from the refusal of individuals
to sign it.
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