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

NaA NN"NS Wv IN
favor of the Copstltution were cast in each in.
stance, the total vote from tho four being 100
yeas to 10 nays. OF tho i've counties, Middle
sex, Bristol. Worcester, Hampshire. and Berk-
shire. the reverse IN true. From these counties
strong majorities against the Constitution were
cast, the total being 90 yeas to 100 nays. Tho
vote from tho three Maine counties, York. Cum.
berland. and Lincoln, was more evenly balanced,
the yeas numbering 25, the nays 81. The out
lying county OF Dukes cast Its two votes in favor
OF the Constitution; so. too. tho Cape Cod dis
triot, so far as IL was represented. went solidlT
for the Conatitution, with the exception of the
one town OF Sandwich. With regard to the
results. John Avery. Jr.. wrote. under date or
Feb. IL, 1888, to George Thatcher. a delepatein
Congress, that he was pleased, upon reflections
that the adoption was by 80 slender n majority,
fret. because II would avert much groundless
jealousy "in the minds Of our Southern breth-
ren;' II Massachusetts had been more united ID
might have been said that her citizens expected
greater advantages from the carrying trader
and, secondly. because " the slenderness OF the
majority would convince Congress Of the mecca
sity OF agreeing to the proposed amendment" I.
Were improper influences used to secure the
adoption of the Constitution by the Massachu-
sets Convontion3 Mr.. Harding says that he
would not consider this unpleasant question,
were Il not for two circumstances The first Of
these 10 the publication by q Boston paper DUR
ing the session of tho Convention OF a direct
charge that an attempt was being made TO
bride Anti-Federalist members OF that body.
The text OF this charge 10 40 follows: The
most diabolical plan is on foot to corrupt the
members of tho Convention who opposo
the adoption OF tho new Constitution.
Largo sums OF money have been brought
from q neiGhboring State for that pur-
pose. contributed by tho wealthy. II 80, 10 10
not probable there may be collections for IN,
Same aocursed purpose nearer home" The
second circumstance referred to is the assertion
by q reputable historical writer within the last
twenty years. Henry b. Dawson. editor OF the
Ole H1torndI Magazine, that 1t 10 very well
k~nown-indeed the son aud bioRrapher OF oneof
tho great leaders OF the Constitutionalists in
New YORK has frankly admitted to us-that
enough members OF the Massachusetts Conven-
tion were bought with money from New York to
secure the rntincation OF the new system by
Massachusetts," An examination OF such owl
dence as Is now procuraole leads Mr.. Harding
to the conclusion that both OF these charges are
without foundation. he 10 Tar from denying
that there was political knavery enough and to
spare among men OF tho revolutionary and
constitutional period. There was selfish dema-
gogy In abundance. shameless ONCE seeking.
gross personal abuse In the press. 5ockeyinR
with the election laws. intimidation, and ballot
~ "o a. II
scrupulous politician of to-day has merely
improved upon processes which were familiar
to popular leaders OF . century ago. Never
theless, to all appearances, the actual
bribery Of the representatives Of the peo-
pie with money was not a sin which can be
brought home to our fathers. Daweon's refer
ence to the son and biographero Of one of the
great leaders of the Constitutionalists In New
York" seems to point to J. G. Hamilton. the son
If A1arnndar pAnilfnn Tn 7 n unypfta,t.
Life Of his father, however. there seems TO DO
no basis for such Q charge rs the ono quoted. Mr..
Harding deems It probable that the substance
OF Dawson's assertion-unless. indeed. he had
In mind q personal communication merely .
repetition of the charge contained In the earlier
Newspaper publications lin connection with
which 1t 10 made. reinforced by q nebulous re-
membrance Of some statement made in Hamil-
toms book which seemed to him to give color to
probable BIZ the fact that both charges referred
~ .o,r.. =, ,o,-,,,,., O., "a. ,,t..h.-,.
State. " though. as we shall see presently. IT was
Rhode Island that was meant thereby In one
case. while New York 10 expressly named In the
other. IL Is scarcely conceivable that q second
and Independent stream of corruption should
unno.,cea by persons sontemporar, with tn. oc.
A. ,hs on.nins ~ tha nv, session 80, ,hs
. ~ en'n re- ooe''on. "''ef 'h'
publication OF the bribery and corrup-
ton article above quoted. q demand wa,
haae III .ne Convention ny bo"ooin
and other Federalists for an investigation
protest, ~ AntI-Fsaer,li,t 1sad.r.Nnro,sst.
49, ., 80
falsity against tho charre-a committee was
.nno;n,.d % In,,ira ,nt, 81. r..,.. I..,,.
eppo'"'eu ,"auto '"'o Il m"''eF' Il sp''
OF the refusal OF the printers to give the name
~ ,bnir {pForoaat ~ ,t,tnnAl- zsa.a - IA.
one Col. william Donnison. Who in a csrd over
ouo So Do""soh' IL eaf o'ef
his own SIGNATURE, confessed that the only
grounds he had for his assertion were,
Az, IN. .,.,.m.,. -, an. ,,,,.. o.,.hor
nto] WIG VI " ei.'Ien eno'Hef'
which no had overheard, that o plan was
ION foot to silence Mr. Mason I" and. seoondl-.
.no,hor .,.,.n.n, ~ - SosA," ..rsos a.:
eho'her sta'eneht oS ecreoioie person thas
he was told at Providence, about q week before.
by a reputable gentleman there. that a bag Of
monav bad h.sr .on, 49, % po.tnn - on,.,
money hsu oeen sen. aowh 70 hostoh 10 quies
the memhers OF the Convention "3positton 70
the new Constitution" After the publication
of this charge, not even the most rabid Anti.
EAd 1 "