Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-06-06

duced an immediate and great excitement in every
part of the house. Several members were imme-
dately on the floor to express their surprise or in
dignation. They represented that the question
had received full and fair investigation, and had
been definitely settled by large majority.
That it was altogether unparliamentary and un-
reasonable for one of the minority to propose re-
consideration at the moment their act had become
a matter of record, and without pretending that
any new light could be thrown on the subject
That if such precedent should be established, it
would in future be impossible to say when any
point was distinctly settled, as small minority
might at any moment again and again, move and
obtain reconsideration. They therefore hoped
the Convention would express its decided dsap-
probation, by passing silently to the business be-
fore them.
There was much warm and some acrimonious
feeling exhibited by number of the speakers-a
rupture appeared almost inevitable, and the bosom
of Washington seemed to labor with the most anx-
ious soctude for its issue. Happily for the United
States, the Convention contained some individu-
order, whose hearts were deeply interested in the
establishment of new and efficient form OF gov
ernment, and whose penetrating minds had already
deplored the evils which would spring up in our
newly established republic, should the present at
tempt to consolidate it prove abortive Among
these personages the most prominent was Dr.
Franklin He was esteemed the Mentor of our
body. To mind naturally strong and enriched
by much reading and the experience OF many
years, he added manner of communicating his
thoughts peculiarly his own, in which simplicity,
beauty, and strength, were CONSPICUOUS. AS soon
as the angry orators who had proceeded him had
left him an opening, the Doctor rose, evidently
impressed with the weight of the subject before
them, and the difficulty of managing 1t successful
ly
"We have arrived, Mr.. President said he " at
a very momentous and interesting crisis in our de-
liberatons. Hitherto our views have been as har-
monious, and our progress as great as could rea-
sonably have been expected. But now an un-
looked for and formidable obstacle is thrown in our
way, which threatens to arrest our course, and, If
not skilfuy removed, to render all our fond hopes
Of Constitution abortive. The ground which
has been taken by the delegates of the four small
pugnant to my feelings as it can be 10 any member
of this Convention. After what thought full
and impartial investigation of the subject, l re-
corded my vote on the affirmative side ofthe ques-
tion and have not yet heard anything which in
duces me to change my opinion. But will not
conclude that those gentlemen who differ from ne
are under delusion, much less will charge them
,bor Our
deliberations. 1t is possible some change in our
late proceedings ought to take place upon Prlncl-
Piles of political ustice-or that all things cons!d-
cred, the majority may see cause to recede from
some of their just pretensions, as matter Oh pru
dence and expedience. For my own part, there
is nothing so much dread as failure to devise
and establish an efficient and equal form Of gov
ernment for our infant Republic. The present et-
fort has been made under the happiest auspices,
and has promised the most favorable results-but
should this effort prove vain, it will be long ere
another can be made with any prospect OF sue
cess Our strength and our prosperity will depend
on our unity--and the secession as even tour OF
the smallest States, intersnersed as they are,
would, in my mind, paralyze and render useless
any plan which the majority could devise.
should therefore be grieved, Mr.. President; to
see matters brought to the test which has been per-
haps too rashly threatened, on one hand, and
which some of my honored colleagues have treat
ed too lightly on the other. | am convinced that
it is subject which should be approached with
caution, treated with tenderness, and dicided on
with candor and llberaly. 1t is, however, to be
feared, that the members of this Convention are
not in a temper, at this moment, to approach the
subject on which we differ in proper spirit
| would therefore propose Mr.. President, without
proceeding further at this time, the Convention
should adjourn for three days, in order 10 let the
present ferment pass off, and afford time for
more full and dispassionate investgaotin of the
subect-and would earnestly recommend to the
members of this Convention that they spend the
time of this recess not associating with their own
party, snd devising arguments to fortify them
selves in their own opinions, but that they mix
with members of opposite sentiments, lend pa
tient ear to their reasoning. and candidly allow
them the weight to which they may be entitled
and when we may assemble again, hope it will
he with discrimination to form Constitution
if such one as we can individually, and in all
respects. approve, yet the best which, under ex-
;.; ;rcumstances can he obtainded."