Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 edition. Excerpt: ... As soon as the convention had put the finishing hand to the Constitution, -- the result of their long and anxious labors, -- they passed a resolution for laying it before Congress, then in session in the city of New York, with the expression of their opinion, that "it should be submitted to a convention of delegates, chosen in each State by the people thereof, for their assent and ratification; and that each convention, assenting to and ratifying the same, should give notice thereof to the United States in Congress assembled." No time was lost in transmitting the Constitution, under this resolution, to Congress; and it was accompanied with a letter from the convention, signed by their president, setting forth briefly, but with clearness and dignity, the leading principles by which they had been governed in the execution of their work, the peculiar difficulties they had to encounter, and "the spirit of amity and mutual deference and concession" with which those difficulties had been met and overcome. The letter closed with these impressive remarks: -- "That the Constitution will meet the full and entire approbation of every State is not perhaps to be expected. But each will, doubtless, consider, that, had her interest alone been consulted, the consequences might have been particularly disagreeable or injurious to others. That it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe: that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish." It was soon apparent that the work of the convention was destined to encounter a vehement opposition in this, the first stage of its probation. Mr. Madison, who was a member of Congress, ...