Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-30

in the Senate in proportion to itspopuation."
When the Convention had adjourned over to
the next day, the delegates of the four smallest
States, j. e., Rhode Island Connecticut, New
Jersey, and Delaware, convened to consult what
course was to be pursued in the Important crisis
at which we had arrived. After serious inves-
tigation, it was soemnly determined to ask for
reconsideration the next morning and if it was
not granted, or if, when granted, that offensive
feature of the Constitution couldAot be expun-
ged, and the smaller States put bon an co.rl
footing with the largest, we woult secede from
the Convention, and, returning ttour constitu-
ents, inform them that no compactea,ad be forn-
ed with the large States but one'which would
sacrifice our sovereignty and INDEPENDENCE.
Twas dePuted TO be the organ through which
this communication should be rlade-.I know
not why, unless it be that young Ren are gene
rally chosen to perform rash actions. Accord
ingly, when the Convention had assembled, and
as soon as the minutes of the last sitting were
read, | arose and stated the viewwe had taken
of the organization of the Senate--our desire to
obtain reconsideration and suitable modification
of that Article; and, in failure theaof, our de-
termination to secede from the Convention, and
return to our constituents.
This disclosure, it may readlybe supposed,
produced an immediate and great excitement IN
every part of the house! Several members
were Immediately on the floor to express their
surprise or Indignation! They represented that
the question had received full and fair investi.
CATION, and had been defntively settled by
very large majority. That it was altogether un.
parliamentary and unreasonable, kr one of the
minority to propose reconsideration, at the mo-
ment their act had become mater of record,
and without pretending that any new light could
be thrown on the subject. That if such pre-
cedent could be established it would in future
be impossible to say when any on. was defni-
lively settled; as a small minority might at any
moment, again and again, move bobtain re-
consideration. They therefore hoped the Con-
vention would express its decided disapprobation
by passing silently to the business before them.
There was much warm and some acrimonious
feeling exhibited by number of The speeches
"a rupture appeared almost inevitable, and the
bosom of Washington seemed to labor with the
most anxious soicitude for its issue. Happily
for the United States, the Convention contained
some individuals possessed of taletshnd virtues
OF the highest order, whose hcasls we're deeply
i'i'o' - '''o
ltrating minds had already depIored the evils
which would spring up in our newly established
republic, should the present atteupe to CONSOLE
date it prove abortive. Among those persona
gcs, the most prominent was DR. franklin. He
was esteemed the Mentor of our body. To
mind naturally strong and capacous, enriched
by much reading and the experience of many
years, he added manner of communicating his
thoughts peculiar his own-in which simplci-
ty, beauty, and strength were equally conspicu-
Gus. As soon as the angry orators who preced-
ed him, had left him an opening, the Doctor rose,
evidently impressed with the weighto of the sub.
ject before them, and the difficulty of managing
it successfully.
awe have arrived, Mr.. President" said he,
at very momentous and interesting crisis in
our deliberations. Hitherto our views have been
as harmonious, and our progress as great, as
could reasonably have been expected. But now
an unlocked for & formidable obstacle is thrown
in our way, which threatens to arrest our course,
and, if not skilfully removed, to render all our
fond hopes of a constitution abortive. The
ground which has been taken by the delegates
OF the four smallest States, was as unexpected
by me, and as repugnant to my feelings, as it
can be to any other member of the Convention.
After what | thought full and impo ant inves.
tigation Of the subject, recorded my vote in
the affirmative side of the question, and have
not yet heard anything which induce me TO
change my opinion. But will not, therefore,
conclud that it is impossible form to be wrong |!
| will not say that those gentlemen who differ
from me are under delusion-much less will T
charge them with an intention of needlesslv
embarrassing our deliberations. 1t is possible
some change in our late proceedings ought to
take place upon principles of political justice !;
or that, all things considered the mqority NAV
see cause to recede from some of their Just pre-
tensions, as matter Of prNdeuce and erpedien.
cy. For my own part, there is nothing | so
much dread, as failure to devise and establish
some efficient and cqaal form of governmen for
our infant republic. The present eforthas been
made under the happiest auspices, and has
promised the most favorable result; but should
this effort prove vain, it would be long ere an.
other can be made with my prospect of success.
Our strength and our prosperity will depend on
our unity; and the secession of even four of the
smallest states, nterspersed as they are would,
in my mind, parayze and render useless, anv
plan which the majority could devise. Ishould
therefore be grieved, Mr.. President, to see mat
ters brought to the test, which has been, per-
haps too rashley threatened on the one hand,
and which some of my honored colleagues have
treated too lightly on the other. l am convinc-
ed that it is subject which should be approach
ed with caution, treated with tenderness, and
decided on with candor and liberality.
at is however, to be feared that the members
of this convention are not in a tember at this
moment, to approach the sobject on which we
differ, in this spirit. would, therefore, pro-
pose, MIR. President, that, without proceeding
further in this business at this time, tho Con-
vention shall adjourn for three days, in order to
let the present ferment pass off, and to afford
time for more full, free, and dispassionate in
vestigation of the subject; and would earnest
ly recommend to the members of this Conyen-