The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-06-06

be elected by tie people for three |
years, the second to be elected by
the State legislature for seven years.
1.-THE suffrage In tho Legislature to
be according 10 the number of free |
persons, and three fifths of other |
persons; the national executive to
be chosen for seven years, and to
be ineligible for "a second term; a
national judiciary with suitable
powers; the whole plan to be sub
mitted to assemblies chosen for the
express purpose of ratifying or re-
jecting- it." Let no one suppose
that this progress was made with
out difficulty. Many influential
men in the convention chung to the
old confederation with great tenac-
ity, and were exceedingly unwilling
that any increase of power should
be given to the general government.
Especially were the small States
unwilling to surrender the equality
OF suffrage which they possessed
under the confederation but Hby
patient and able discussion, by for
bearance and concession, progress
was made. Resolutions were offer
ed, debated, postponed, called up
again, passed, recoDsidered, amend
ed" and this was continued until q
majority agreed upon these nine
teen resolutions. 2afatsl@
On the lath, Mr.. Patterson laid
before the convention a plan which
he and some others wished to have
substituted for the one already men,
toned. His plan proposed that the
articles of confederation be revised,
so as to concede more power to the
general government. The resolu-
tons embodYing this plan were re-
ferred to the committee of the
whole, to which committee the nine
teen resolutions were again refer
red. Two plans were nov distinet'
Iy before the convention; one aim,
ed at perpetuAting q league among
the States; the other aimed at form
ing a national government. "Fht
true question" said Mr.. Randolph
sis. whether we shall adhere to tn,
Federal plan or introduce nationa
government. The latter alone prop
erly constituted will answer on
purpose" ~. -l-'l si5'.af,..5
II The committee debated thes
| two sets of resolutions for fou
, days, and then reported tn
, nineteen back to the conven
! ton without alteration. Seye
a States voted for the national plar
I three States voted for the leagu
l and the vote of Maryland was di
n vided. At this period of the Pre-
t ceedings Hamilton submitted hi
2 views upon form of government
( in which the Executive and mem
a bers of the Senate were to serV
}, during good behavior all suprem
t Judges to hold office during goo
8 behavior; all state executives to b
= appointed by the general govern
v ment. These are but a few of tn
r extreme views held by one whOI
f the average historian has endeav
e ored to depict as a model republ
j. can statesman. The fact is tn!
o Hamilton, unchecked by such me
n as Washington, Madison, Franklin
: and later by Jefferson, would hay
=. made shipwreck of our nation in i
:, earliest infancy. This plan, how
Il ever, received no favor.
: The convention had now decide
: upon forming a new government
II Much had been done, yet but lit
!, when we consider what yet remain
= ed. A constitution for a nations
q government was now to be framed
q difficulties innumerable sprang u
a and the problem seemed well mig
e insoluble. II was at this poin
" when all the wisdom of men a.
!e peared to fail, that Franklin aroI
,e and delivered his short but remarl
l. able speech concerning the propr
G. ETY. and need of prayer. Washing
d ton was SO discouraged that
wrote to a friend: "I almost de
pair of seeing favorable issue
the proceedings of the conventio
and l do therefore regret that I ha'
had any agency in this business
The extent of the danger of failu
may be estimated more accuratel
= if the reader will remember tn
!. the writer of the above senten
y did not become discouraged durir
:, the darkest days of the revolntio
=, not even amid the privations
- Valley Forge.