The advocate., 1895-07-24

conduct. Even from that illustrious man who
saved us by his Valor, would have reason for his
conduct. That liberty which he has given us by his
Vslor tells me to ask this reason and sure am were
he here, he would give us that reason. But their
are other gentlemen here who can give us this in
formation. The people gave them no power to use
their name. That they exceeded their power is per
fecty clear. 1t is not mere curiosity that sctuates
me; wish to hear the real, actual, eriStiRg danger
which should lead to take those steps so danger
GUS in my conception.
"We are wandering on the great ocean of human
affairs. see no landmark to guide US. We are
running we know not whittier. Difference in opinion
has gone to degree of infammatory resentment in
different parts of the country, which has been Occa
stoned by this perilous innovation The Federal
convention ought to have amended the old system;
for this purpose they were solely delegated the OBJ
eCt of their mission extended to other Consdera
tiOn. You must, therefore, forgive the solicitation
of one unworthy member to know 1Oh0t danger
could have arisen under the present confederation
and aDhGt the causes Of this proposal to change
our gOvernnerpt."
This sort of questioning was not according to the
Federalist program. 1t was extremely embarrassing
for Madison and others who had been in the Phila-
dephia convention to be called upon in this direct
manner to tell Federalist secrets out of school, They
had come with ready-made speeches about the Con-
stution itself; and here is disturber Of the FEEDER
alst peace who, waving all discussion Of the
Constitution itself, wants to be publicly told how
they came to make the Constitution. Randolph
made speech; General Lee made speech numer
GUS speeches were made in reply to Patrick Henry,
but nobody answered. the old patriots pointed ques
tions. General Lee even complained that Patrick
Henry had expressed anxiety. "Mr. Chairman"
said he, twas it proper to appeal to the e0r of this
HOuse2 The question before us belongs to the j1tg
mert of this House. trust he is come to juge and
not to alarm." And he remarked in a tsunting
way: "The gentleman sat down as he began, leaving |
usto ruminate the horrors with which he opened.
He also INDUCED in some lattery of the great ora
tors abilities.
Patrick Henry rose to reply to Lee. The audience |
listened in breathless expectation;
"Mr. Chairman, | am much obliged to the very
worthy gentleman for his encOnium. / wish l aOaS
possessed of talents or possessed of Gythjg, that
might enable me to elueidate this great subject l
oWn sir, I'm not free from suspicion. am apt to
entertain doubts rose not to enter upon the dis
cussiOn but merely to ask question which had
arisen in my own mind. When / asked that ques- /
tion, thought the meaning of my interrogation was
obvious. The fate of America may depend on this |
question: Have they said, we, the StntesP Have
they made proposal of compact between States?
If they had, this would be a confederation; it is,
otherwise most clearly consolidated government. |
The whole question turns, sir on that poor little
thing-the expression, we, the people,, instead of
the States of America"
He called attention to the failure of his opponents
to answer his question and give the convention the |
information for which he had called, and continued:
ave have no detail of those great considerations
which, in my opinion, ought to have aboul1ded be-
fore we should recur to government of this kind.
Here is a revolution as radical as that which sepa-
rated us from Great Britain 1t is as radical If in
this transition our rights and privileges are endan-
gered, and the sovereignty of the States be relin-
quished; and cannot we plainly see that this is |