of natural affections, of virtue, of religion, of honesty? At any rate, we think it would be an experiment well worth trying, and at least of as much importance, as the attempt to know whether the country could get along without a United States Bank. We trust it would prove, with a vast deal more success, though in both cases we might hope the experiment would not fail.

Mr. Harrison, on the general question, and nearly at the end of the debate, said, –

"The situation and disposition of the States render subsequent amendments dangerous and impolitic, and previous amendments eligible.

"New Hampshire does not approve of the Constitution as it stands. They have refused it so. In Massachusetts we are told that there was a decided majority in their convention who opposed the Constitution as it stood, and were in favor of previous amendments, but were afterwards, by the address and artifice of the federalists, prevailed upon to ratify it.'

"Rhode Island is not worthy of the attention of this house. She is of no weight or importance to influence any general subject of consequence.2

1 We understand, from Mr. Benjamin Russell, who was the reporter to the convention, there was, on a careful count, found to be just two thirds, on the arrival of the members to attend the convention, who were opposed to the Constitution.

? What does the State of Roger Williams say to this? or may we suppose that it is this good opinion entertained of her by our southern friends, she, in turn, has been so ready to uphold the slaveholder in his acts, since this great struggle for freedom has commenced?

We understand, when the congress of the Confederation proposed to the several States to lay a duty of 5 per cent. on certain

"Connecticut adopted it without proposing amend

ments.

"New York, we have every reason to believe, will reject the Constitution, unless amendments be obtained. Hence it clearly appears that there are three States which wish for amendments.

"Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, have adopted it unconditionally.

"In Maryland there are a considerable number who wish amendments to be had.

"Virginia is divided, let this question be determined which way it will. One half of the people, at least, wish amendments to be obtained.

"North Carolina has decided against it. South Carolina has proposed amendments.

"Under this representation it appears there are seven States that wish to get amendments. Can it be doubted, if these seven States insist on amendments as the condition of their accession, that they would not be agreed to? Let us not be persuaded into an opinion, that the Union will be dissolved if we reject it. I have no such idea.” 1

Mr. Innes, in a speech in favor of adopting the Constitution, without previous amendments, or, rather, without insisting on amendments before adopting the Constitution, said,—

articles of importation to pay the debts of the country, Massachusetts complied with the requisition. A few weeks after this compliance on the part of Massachusetts, Rhode Island passed a resolve to give a bounty of the same amount on the same articles if imported into that State!!

It was probably such acts as these on the part of some of the States which made Washington and other statesmen of the day see the necessity of a change of government, if they meant the country should fulfil its engagements to the world.

1 Elliot's Reports, vol. ii. p. 457.

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Virginia first discovered the defects of the existing Confederacy. When the legislature was sitting a few years ago, they sent an invitation to the other States to make amendments to it. After some preparatory steps, the late federal convention was called. To this was sent select deputies from all the States except Rhode Island. After five months spent in tedious investigation, they with great difficulty devised the paper on the table, and it has been adopted by every State which has considered and discussed it."

Mr. Zedekiah Johnston, in urging the adoption of the Constitution, observed,

"They tell us they see a progressive danger of bringing about emancipation. The principle has begun since the revolution. Let us do what we will it will come round. Slavery has been the foundations of that impiety and dissipation which have been so much disseminated among our countrymen. If it were totally abolished it would do much good."

1

The discussion, after a few more had spoken, came to a close; and the president (Mr. Edward Pendleton) took the chair, and Mr. Matthews reported,

"That the committee, according to order, had again the proposed Constitution under their consideration; and had gone through the same, and had come to several resolutions thereupon, which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered them in to the clerk's table, and were as follows:

"Whereas the powers granted under the proposed Constitution are the gifts of the people, and every power

'Elliot's Reports, vol. ii. p. 470.

not granted thereby remains with them and are at their will, no right, therefore, of any denomination can be canceled, abridged, restrained, or modified by the congress, by the senate or house of representatives, acting in any capacity, by the president, or any department or officer of the United States, except in those instances in which power is given by the Constitution for those purposes; and, among other essential rights, liberty of conscience and of the press cannot be canceled, abridged,. restrained, or modified by any authority of the United States.

"And whereas any imperfection which may exist in said Constitution ought rather to be examined in the mode prescribed therein for obtaining amendments than by a delay, with a hope of obtaining previous amend ments, to bring the Union into danger:

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Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that the said Constitution be ratified.

"But, in order to relieve the apprehensions of those who may be solicitous for amendments,

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that whatsoever amendments may be deemed necessary, be recommended to the consideration of congress, which shall first assemble under the said Constitution, to be acted upon according to the mode prescribed in the fifth. article thereof." 1

After these resolutions were adopted, and some other preliminary steps taken, Mr. Wythe reported the following, among other amendments, to be recommended to the congress that should first. assemble under the Constitution.

"1. That there are certain natural rights of which

1 Elliot's Reports, vol. ii. p. 473.

men, when they form a certain compact, cannot deprive or divest their posterity, among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety."

If a people cannot, by any legislative enactments, deprive their own posterity of the foregoing blessings, much less can they deprive those who are not connected, and have no connection with them, of their life, liberty, &c. If they cannot deprive their own sons of their liberty, much less can they deprive the sons of another people of theirs. Is it not so? Has not a father, if he possesses any right at all, a greater right over the liberty of his own sons than over the sons of his neighbor?

"3. That government ought to be instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, and that the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive to the good and happiness of mankind.” 2

"9. That no freeman ought to be taken, imprisoned, or disseized, of his freehold, liberties, privileges, franchises, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed or deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by the law of the land.

"10. That every freeman restrained of his liberty is entitled to a remedy, — to inquire into the lawfulness thereof, and to remove the same, if unlawful; and that such remedy ought not to be denied or delayed.

11. That, in controversies respecting property, and in suits between man and man, the ancient trial by

'Elliot's Reports, vol. ii. p. 483.

2

Idem, vol. ii. p. 483.