The advocate., 1895-08-07

and waiting with anxiety for decision which in
VoVed the happiness or misery of more than half
the human race. To those beings-With the same
thrilling look and action-he had just addressed an
invocation that made every nerve shudder with su-
pernatural horror When lol storm at that instant
arose which shook the whole building and the spir-
its whom he had called seemed to have come at his
bidding. Nor did his eoquence or the storm inn
mediatey cease, but, sVailng himself of the Incl
dent with masters art, he seemed to mix in the
fight Of his ethereal auxiliaries and rising on the
wings Of the tempest to seize upon the artillery of
heaven and direct its fiercest thunder against the
heads of his sdVerssries. The scene became insup-
portable"
Members rushed from their seats in confusion and
dismay; and but for the timely arrival of a FEEDER
alist who had been absent during the excitement,
there would have been no one sufficiently collected
to proceed with the debate.
Nor was this the only exciting episode. The Vir-
ginia anti Federsls had even contemplated a resort
to arms rather than YIELD and it was perfectly un-
derstood by the Federaists that the man whose eo-
quence had hurled the Colonies against Great Brit
aims trained forces was amply able, if he chose, to
rouse his countrymen again. Hence it is little won
der that Madison and others were startled and grew
pale with apprehension when, while declaring that
the Constitution would make an end of jury trial
and put every champion of liberty at the mercy of
the government the fiery patriot declared he would
not submit, and exclaimed:
"Old as / am it is possible l may yet have the ap-
pellation of rebelp'
And, with look of defiance, added d-suggestiVely:
'B9t ny nejghborS aOiU protect me!
A Federalst replied that 'Virginia would be in
arms to support the Constitution" but the others
knew better, and instead of replying set themselves
to work getting Patrick Henry's friends to induce
him to entertain more pacific sentiments
Their efforts succeeded; and in closing brief ad
DRESS just before the question put, he thus qui-
eted the fears of the opposition and slayed the war
like spirit he had awakened in his followers:
81 beg pardon of this house for having taken up
more time than came to my share, and l thank them
for the patience and polite attention with which
have been heard. If l shall be in the minority,
shall have the painful sensations which arise from
conviction of being overpoWered in good cause.
Yet l will be a peaceable citizenl My head, my
hand and my heart shall be free to retrieve the loss
of liberty, and the defects of that system in
constitutional way. 1 wish not to 60 to violence,
but will wait with hopes that the spirit which pre-
dominated in the Revolution is not yet gone, nor
the cause of those who attached to the ReVolu-
tion yet lost shall, therefore, patiently wait, in
expectation of seeing that government changed so
as to be compatible with the safety liberty and hap.
piness of the people,"
The vote was taken; and in the convention of a
hundred and and sixtyeight members, the Consti-
tuition was ratified by majority of only ten. But
that sutliced. The government of the United States
of America had begun to exist.
The DeODIe however now showed their hostility to
the Constitution by electing Legislature made up
of anti Federals more than two to one and Patrick
Henry was allowed to name both United States Sem
ators. Madison, who was Wsshington's candidate
for the Senate was overwhelmingly defeated. The
Assembly passed resolutions demanding that Con-
gress should call new federal convention for pro-
posing amendments to the Constitution sent copies
of proposed amendments and of the resolutions to