Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-01-03
From the Christian Witness.

From the Christian Witness.
AN INCIDENT IN THE CONVENTION WHICH
FORMED THE U. S. CONSTITUTION.
The following interesting incident will
probably be new to many OF our read
CrS -
In Nav, 1857, the delegates of the sew
eral States assembled at Philadelphia, with
the view to the formation of a constitution
for the better government of the Union.
Of this illustrious body, Washington was
unanimously chosen President. During the
session the following occurrences took place.
The account thereof, in its present au.
thcntic form, was written in the year 1925,
by an intimate friend of the youngest men,
bcr of the convention. The part here CIV
en- is that relating 10 the reconsideration oil
the provision which had been made IN the
beginning, for the representation OF the
States in the Senate. 1t had been deter
mined. that representation should be accord
inr 10 population. To this principle the
REPRESENTATIVES from the four smaller States
objected. They moved reconsideration,
and expressed their purpose of withdraw
inc from the convention, unless the constI-
tution was so modified, as to give each State
an equal representation.
"Thcre was much warmth says the
writer referred to, "and some acrimonious
feeling exhibited by number ofthe speak
crs a rupture appeared almost inevitable,
and the bosom of Washington seemed to
labor with the most anxious solIcItude ior
its issue. Happily for the United States,
the convention contained some individuals
posscssed oftalents and virtues of the high.
est order, whose hearts were deeply inter.
cs.cd in the establishment of a new and et-
ficcnt form Of government, and whose pen
etra,ins minds had already deplored the
evils which would spring up in our newly.
established republic, should the present at
tempt to consolidate it prove abort've.-
Among those personagcs, the most proml.
nent was DR.. Franklin. He was esteemed
the Mentor Of our body. To mind natu-
rally s.rong and capacious, s,enriched by much
reading. and the experience of many years,
ne added a manner of communicating his
thoughts peculiarly his own, in which SIM
plicitv, and strength, were equally consplcu-
Gus. AS soon as the a"gry orators who
had preceded him had left him an opening,
the Doctor rose, evidently impressed with
the weight of the subject before them,
and the difficulty of managing it successful
w.
In speech as given by the writer, the
Doctor urged the consideration of the great
interests involved in the issue oflheir del'5e-
ra,ons. and proposed a recess ofthree days,
for cool reflection and impartial conversa-
ton among the members respecting their
conflicting views and opinions, that they
might return to the discussion of the SUBJ
jccl before them with more tranquil and
amicable feelings. He then concluded in
the following words -
Before | sit down, Mr.. President, | will
sugges: another matter; and | am really
surprised that it has not been proposed by
some other member at an earlier period of
our deliberations. | will suggest. Mr..
President, the propricty of nominating and
appointing, before We separate, chaplain
10 this convention, whose duty it shall be
uniformly to assemble with us, and INTRO
duce the business of each day by an ad-
dress to the Creator Of the universe, and
the Governor of all nations, bcseeching
Him to preside in our council. cnIightcn
our minds with portion Of heavenly wis
dom, influence our hearts with love o!
truth and Justice, and crown our labors with
complete and abundant success"
The Doctor sat down; and never did
I behold counteaancc at once so dlgn'-
fled and delighted. as was that OF Washing
ton If the close of this address; nor were
the members of the convention. generally,
loss affected. The words of the venerable
Franklin fell upon our ears with weight
and authority, even greater than we may
snnnoso ali oracle 10 have had in Roman
senate, A silent admiration superseded
for a moment the expression OF that assent
and appreciation which was strongly mark
ed on almost every countenancc, | say al
mos;-for one man was found IN the con.
vcn,ion, (Mr.- of - who rose and
said, with regard to the firs. motion OF the
honorable gentleman, for an adjournment,
he would yield his support; but he protested
ara:rst The second motion. fer The annn'n'-