The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-17
CHAPTER XXXVI

W. OF ipe Youngest members Of the
there with ready-made constitutions in
their pockets. Alexander Hamilton car
ried one, Edmund Randolph tho other
Hamilton's plan was so frankly arts
tocratic and monarchical. In body and
SOUL that 1t was incontinently cast aside.
Randolph $ plan was in form repnbli-
can, in spirit far from democratic.
The sitting of the convention began May
%, 1851. There were ffty-five delegates
Some Of these We're not present during
the first few weeks Of the session. Ten
other delegates who had been elected did
not attend at all.
BENJAMIN Franklin. aged ST. was the
oldest member Of the convention; the
youngest was iona than Dayton, Of New
Jersey. aged &c. Alexander Hamilton was
30. James Madison SO.
General Washington was president OF
the convention, and the work which quiet
studIous learned and Industrious James
Madison performed fairly entitled him TO
the proud name he afterwards bore INC
father of the constitutions
Three great compromises had to be
made before a new government could pe
established.
/ The Connecticut compromise gave
! equality to all the states in the senate
while preponderance was given to the
larger states in the house.
2 The slavery question, carrying dis
pute between free states and slave states,
was settled by allowing three-tifths of
the slaves to be counted in the census
upon which was to be based representa-
ton In congress
2 Between the agricultural and com
! ~. G.rt,+ tariff
the slave trade was intensely bitter; but
| IT was finally arranged that congress
should control commerce. and the import
alton of slaves should cease in 1903
Bv the 18th day of September the great
convention had completed It's sk-"tnf
noblest work ever struck off at giver
time Nv the mind and purpose Of man
| according 10 MIR. Gladstone.
When the secret convention threw oper
It's doors. and published the result Of it'
| labors. the world saw constitution
which was, IN form Randolph's. yet, II
spirit. so wholly foreign to its author:
intention and so akin to Hamilton's, tha
the New York statesman (who had Qui
and gone home) Immediately ran to IT.
support while Randolph stood aloof
doubtful what to do. Like George Ma
son. refused to sign the new consti
tuition. and was classed with It's oppo
nents.
Rv the time the Virginia conventio
met however. Randolph had decided t
throw his whole weight into the scale 70
ratification and George Mason was de
nouncing him as d Benedict Arnold.
Luther Martin. Of Maryland had qui
the convention In disgust, because $
much power was being given the centrf
government; and he vehemently oppose
the adoption OF the constitution In tn
Maryland convention
Patrick Henry had at first been
. favor Of the movement toward strongf
. government: but the astounding treat
which John Jay. secretary OF Toreig
! affairs. had negotiated with Spain
treaty in which the rights Of the souther
neonle were traded off in exchange Il
commercial advantages to the north-cr
=, ated such a bitter feeling in the soul
= that jealousy Of the power or congre
\ became a passion. Southern men ne
Il fought their way to the MISSISSIPPI. su
fering all the hardships, paying eli u
+ costs asking no help from congress
from other states. An empire of almo
: boundless wealth lay in the future of Il
e domain which had thus been broug
into tho union Fort jefferson few o
( flag in the far west, the visible sign
a the conquest Boone and Kenyon al
=. Clarke had made Even the British h;
respected our right to this western Ian
, and had conceded 1t to US by the trea
e of Paris.
: And now. by a cold squirt Of the ~