Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-26
EXTRACTS FROM THE DEBATES IN THE
FEDERAL CONVENTION FOR FORMING A


FEDERAL CONVENTION FOR FORMING A
CONSTITUTION, 1871.
Mr.. Edmund Randolph, of Va, presented q series
OF resolutions as q basis of form Of Government
The sixth resolution suggested amongst other mat
ters that the National Legislature ought to be EN-.
powered to call forth the force of the Union
against any member of the Union failing to fulfil its
duties under the articles thereof" See Madison
Papers, Vol Cd page 1892
Mr.. Madison observed that the more he reflected
on the use of force the more he doubted the prac-
t1cd0ltty, the justice, and efficacy of it when ap-
Piled to people collectively, and not individually
An Union OF the States containing such Ingredient
seemed to provide for its own Destruction The use
OF force against State would look more like de-
claraton Of war than infliction of punishment;
and would probably be considered by the party at
tackled as dissolution of all previous compacts by
which it might be bound. He hoped that such a
system would be framed might render this re-
source unnecessary, and moved that the clause be
postponed. This motion was agreed to unanimously
See Madison Papers, Vol. ID, page 761.
MIR. Patterson, of New Jersey, moved series of
Resolutions, as basis of plan of Government
10. Vol. End page S63 to 867.
His sixth Resolution suggested, "That if any
State or any body of men in any State shall oppose
or prevent the carrying into execution such acts or
treaties, the Federal Executive shall be authorized
to call forth the power of the Confederated States,
or so much thereof as may be necessary to enforce
and compel an obedience to such acts or an obsery-
ance of such treaties" Mr. Patterson's whole plan
including the sixth Resolution, was voted down.
Col. Alexander Hamilton said, 1.-THE great and
essential principles necessary for the support of gov
ernment are" five in number, which were respect
lively enumerated and commented on by him. The
fourth was "Force, by which," he said may be
understood coercion Of laos or coercion Of arms"
After commenting on a coercion of laws, he CONT
nued "a certain portion of military force is absolute
ly necessary in large communities. Massachusetts,
is now feeling this necessity, and making provision
for it. But how can this force be exerted on the
States collectively? 1t is impossible 1t amounts to
par bstaoeen the parties" H. Vol. End, page sS1.
Col. George Mason said, at was acknowledged
by Mr. Patterson that lis plan could not be enforced
without military coercion. Does he consider the
force of the concession The most EARRING elements
of nature, fire and water themselves, are not more
Incompatible than such a mixture of civil liberty
and military execution. Will the militia march
from one State into another in order to collect the
of taxes from the delinquent members of the
Republic? Will they maintain army for this pur-
pose? Will not the citizens of the invaded States
sist another till they rise as one man and shake
off the Union altogether? Rebellion is the only case
in which the military force of the State can be pro-
perly exerted against its citizens. In point of
view he was struck with horror at the prospect of
recurring to this expedient. To punish the non
payment Of tares ith death ,oas a severity not get
adopted By despOtism ITSELF; get this unerampled
cruelty soouH be mercy compared to a military COL
lection Of reUenue in aohich the 6dyonet could make
no determination betaeeen the innocent and tile
guilty. lie took this occasion to repeat that not
wthStanding his solicitude to establish national
government, he never would agree to abolish the
State Governments, or render them absolutely in
significant. They were as necessary as the General
Government, and he would be equally careful to
preserve them" h. vol. 2, p. GA.
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