American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-02-27

tufS, lHey SaIu, t0efe c0ulu De no
security for their equal rights-and
they would, by such distribution
of power, be merged and lost in the
larger States.
This reasoning however plain and
powerful, had but little influence OH
the minds OF delegates from the
larger StateS-anf, as they formed
large majority of the Convention, the
question, after passing through the
forms OF debate, was decided that
leach State should be represented
in the Senate in proportion to its
population.'
When the Convention had ad-
Ijoumed cxer to the next day, the
delegates of the four smallest States,
!. e.. Rhode Island, Connecticut, New
Jersey. and Delaware, convened to
consult what course was to be pur-
suen in the important crisis at which
we had arrivsd After serious in
+ vestigation, it was solemnly deter
mined to ask for reconsideration the
next morning; and if it was not
granted, or if, when granted, that
offensive feature Of the Constitution
could not be expunged, and the
smaller States put ,lpon an equal
footing with the large t, we would
secede from the Convention, and,
returning to our constituents, inform
them that no compact could be form
ed with the large States, but one
which would crifice our sovnri nty
and independence.
I was deputed-te lie the organ
through which this communication
should be made-I know not why,
unless it be that young men are gen
orally chosen to perform rash actions.
Accordingly, when the Convention
had assembled, and as soon-as the
minutes of tie last sitting were read.
| arose and stated the views we hal
taken of the organization of tho Sen
ate-our desire to obtain a reconsid
GRAFTON and suitable modification of
that article; and, in failure thereof,
our determination to secede from
the Convention, and return to our
constituents.
This disclosure, it may readily be
supposed, produced an immediate
and great excitement in every part
Of the house! Several members
were Immediately on the floor to ex-
press their surprise, OF Indignation !!
They represented that the question
had received full and fair investi-
cation, and had been definitely set
tied by very large majority. That
it was -altnGather npnarli +..---- T.
and unreasonable, Tor one OF tile
minority to propose reconsideration,
at the moment their act had become
/ matter of record, and without pre-
tending that any new light could be
, thrown on the subject. That if such
J precedent should be established, it
| would in future be impossible to say
Y when any one point was definitively
e settled as a small minority might at
j, any moment, again and again, move
| and obtain reconsideration. They
a therefore hoped the Convention
Z would express its decided disappro-
: baton by passing silently to the busi-
7 ness before them.
X There was much warm and some
acrimonious feeling exhibited by {
C number of the speerhes-a rupture
! appeared almost inevitable, and the
r bosom of Washington seemed tt
/ labor with the most anxious Solici
IS tude for its issue. Happily for th'
n United States, the Convention con
i tanned some individuals possessed o
Is talents and virtues of the highes
order, whose hearts were deeply in
n terested in the establishment of
y new and efficient form of govern
e, ment; and whose penetrating mind
e. had already deplored the evils whicl
- would spring up in our newly estaE
,e lished republic, should the presen
u attempt to consolidate it prove abol
le tive. Among those persOnages, tn
re most prominent was DR.. FRANKLIN
n He was esteemed the Mentor of GU
be body. To a. mind naturally stron
H. and capaci0us, enriched by muc
is. reading and the experience of man
z !; years, he added manner of con
is municating his thoughts peculiarl
ch his own-in which simplicity, beaut
re and strength were equally conspic,
he Gus. AS soon as che angry orator
sc who preceded him had left him a
le opening, the doctor rose, evident
&c, impressed with the weight of Il
he subject before them, and the dii1icu
IRE ty of managing it successfully.
for =. ave have arrived, Mr.. President
cir said he, "at a very momentOuS al
rn interesting crisis in our deliberatiol
We Hitherto our views have been
,ut harmonious, and our progress
great, as could reasonably have be-
red expected. But now an unlocked
Isl and formidable obstacle is thrown
lld our way. which threatens to ARE
5 our course, and, if not skilfully !
Idly moved, to render all our fond hop
tn of a constitution abortivc. I
uid ground which has been taken by t
in delegates of the toilr smallest Statt
it was as unexpected to me, and as
tet Dagaant to my feelings, as 1t can
on. to any other member OF this t@nYt
it'll ton. After what | thought a +
9Th and impartial investigation of t
to subject. | recorded my vote in t
IRE affirmative side of the question, 4
in | have not Yet heard anything Viii
uld induces me to change my opinl'
oie But | will not, therefore, Conclu
- that it is impossible for ne to
OF wrong. | will not say that th(
of gentlemen who differ from me {
self under delusion--much less will
ate. charge them with intention OF ne'
the lessly embarrassing our delib"ratio
be 1t is posbjb'e some change in our t
lee proceedings ought to take place NJ
hat principles Of political .jrSiice or IA
o a all things considered, the MGj0,
hat may see cause to reccde from so
on,) of their just pretensions, as a mat
$ i'll OF prudence and crpCdiency. For
The own part, there is nothing | SO M
md, dread, as a failure to devise {
pre- establish some efficient and eQ
as form of government for our inf
the republic. The present effort
Dear been made under the happiest {
ers pices, and has promised the II
the favorable results; but should