1. DEBATE OVER CONSTITUTION

government was evidently discerned by a few men, who seized it with
address. Ten other states appointed, and tho' they chose men princi-
pally connected with commerce and the judicial department, yet they
appointed many good republican characters-had they all attended we
should now see, I am persuaded, a better system presented. The non-
attendance of eight or nine men, who were appointed members of the
convention, I shall ever consider as a very unfortunate event to the
United States.9-Had they attended, I am pretty clear that the result
of the convention would not have had that strong tendency to aristoc-
racy now discernable in every part of the plan. There would not have
been so great an accummulation of powers, especially as to the internal
police of the country, in a few hands, as the constitution reported pro-
poses to vest in them-the young visionary men, and the consolidating
aristocracy, would have been more restrained than they have been.
Eleven states'o met in the convention, and after four months close at-
tention, presented the new constitution, to be adopted or rejected by
the people. The uneasy and fickle part of the community may be pre-
pared to receive any form of government; but, I presume, the enlight-
ened and substantial part will give any constitution, presented for their
adoption, a candid and thorough examination: and silence those de-
signing or empty men, who weakly and rashly attempt to precipitate
the adoption of a system of so much importance-We shall view the
convention with proper respect-and, at the same time, that we reflect
there were men of abilities and integrity in it, we must recollect how
disproportionably the democratic and aristocratic parts of the com-
munity were represented.-Perhaps the judicious friends and opposers
of the new constitution will agree, that it is best to let it rest solely on
its own merits, or be condemned for its own defects."
In the first place, I shall premise, that the plan proposed, is a plan
of accommodation-and that it is in this way only, and by giving up a
part of our opinions, that we can ever expect to obtain a government
founded in freedom and compact. This circumstance candid men will
always keep in view, in the discussion of this subject.
The plan proposed appears to be partly federal, but principally how-
ever, calculated ultimately to make the states one consolidated govern-
ment.
The first interesting question, therefore, suggested, is, how far the
states can be consolidated into one entire government on free princi-
ples. In considering this question extensive objects are to be taken into
view, and important changes in the forms of government to be carefully
attended to in all their consequences. The happiness of the people at

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