The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-01

We can learn so much in knowledge of the
Worlu, In manners, in culture. in good sena.. in
consideration for others. without feeling him
too far removed from the sphere of our ordinary
life and associations.
The Federal Consultation In Massachusetts.
About all that lie generally known concerning
the reception of the Federal Constitution In
Massachusetts is derived from the proceedings
OF the State Convention. as these are set forth
In "Eliiot's Debates, and from the
thereon In Bancroft's History of the Forma-
ton OF tho Constitution" There are other
sources OF information in contemporary docu-
mente, and II is high time that these should be
turned to account. This hAs now been done by
SAMUEL BANNIsrER HARDING. Assistant Pro-
feesor OF History In the Indiana University, the
outcome of whose Investigations is published in
q volume entitled Ths Contest oper the Rdttdcd.
ton OF the Federal Constitution IN the State Of
Massachusetts t~Longmaus, Green s. co... Tho
author undertook tho work while he was
connected with the Seminary OF American his
tory and Institutions in Harvard University
during the years ls93-95, and no was impelled
to the inquiry. he tells us, by q belief that only
through q moro thorough study, than had been
hitherto made, of the internal political history
or the States, during the Revolutionary War and
in the period Immediately SLOWING 1t. could .
right understanding DO obtained OF the subse-
quent party struggle In national politics. by
which the Interpretation OF tho Consultation
was fixed and the scope and general policy
of the new Government were
The materials used in the preparation of
this essay are grouped under the fol-
lowing heads, namely. manuscripts In the
nrOhfyea nf Mannnrhuootta contain DOfnrv
pamphlets and newspapers, the published
correspondence OF men of the time. and the re-
ports of tho debates Of the ratifying Conven-
ton. The report reprinted In "Elliot's De-
bates" was based on notes taken chiefly by
Benjamin Russell of tho Massachusetts Ccntfnel,
and was first published in that paper. Tho best
edition OF tho Massachusetts Debates" was
Issued In 1866, under the authorization of the
Legislature; hero wo have not only the debates
as reported by Russell. but also brief notes taken
by Theophilus Parsons. which are often of con-
siderable value In experimenting and correcting
the former; the journal Of the Convention 10
also included. together with petitions from Sow
oral towns concerning contested elections and
tho actions of committees thereon. We add
that minutes of the proceedings Of the Conven-
ton were also kept bv Jeremy Belknap; these
were published In 1858, and. though brief. are
often useful.
.
In an Introductory chapter, Mr. Harding
points out that by 1887 there had arisen In
Massachusetts q pronounced antagonism In
political matters between the upper and the
lower classes. BY this autagonism which. next
to the confidence Of the masses in their ability
to pass upon all questions of government, was
the great characteristic Of the period. is meant
uonafhin1 mara than tho 1afant hoatilifv horn
OF envy. which frequently exists on the part of
those who have not q competence toward those
who have. This undoubtedly was an element In
Its composition. but not the sole or the most Inn
portant one. Economic and political inhu-
ences OF far greater weight entered into
1t, and 1t was chiefly owing to these
that by tho year 1887 tho antagonism OF
classes had developed into an earnest II not o
bitter contest between tho forces of aristocracy
and democracy for tho control Of the State
Government In the development of this con-
test, It was the democracy that had taken the
initiative. The distrust Of the upper classes
was partly n natural consequence OF the growth
OF the democratic spirit which accompanied the
Revolution, but partly. also. it was the outcome
OF special causes. Ono of these causes is dts
cerniblo in the fact that so many Of tho profess
sional men and men Of property and education
had either remained loyalists or given but Q
lukewarm support to the measures of
the patriot party: another cause was tho
natural antagonism of interest between town
and country. between agricultural and COM
mercIal sections; still q third Ia to be found in
the economic and legal conditions of the times,
which. after tho conclusion of peace. speedily
brought into wide disropute one of the most
conspicuous elements Of tho aristocracy. namely.
the legal profession. 1t was the antagonism be-
tween town and country. accumulated after the
war By the contrast between tho poverty OF the
farming regions and the comparative luxury of
the maritime towns. that made tho removal of
the capital from Boston . capital article Of tho
platforms put forward by the leaders of Shays's
Rebellion. and that helped to break down the
popular prejudice against impost and ex-
else taxes. this, in turn. leading to the at
tempt to throw the burden OF taxation on COM
merce. In 17s6-s7 opposition to tho "over-
bearing power of oppressive lawyers" had be-