The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-01

II Is well known that with the exception
Of North Carolina and Rhode Island. which
did not enter the Union until after the
Constitution had become operative. the
ratification OF the product OF the Phila-
dephiA convention met with really formi-
dable opposition in only Massachusetts, Vir-
GINA and New York When the Massa-
chusetts convention met on Jan Q. 1888
the proposed Federal organic law had
already been ratified by one large State,
Pennsylvania. and by four small ones.
Delaware New Jersey. Georgia and Con-
nectcut There is no doubt that at the
opening Of the Massachusetts convention
the anti-F aderalists were in majority
and that motion to reject the Constitution
would have been carried at any time pre-
yiou-ly to the proposal OF amendments
~ Gov. John Hancock. During the de-
bates Of the first three weeks. the Federalists,
who included such men as Fisher Ames.
Rufus King Theophilu- Parsons and ex-
Gov James Bowdoin. had much the better
Of the argument, but seemed not to be
gaining any votes Thus far Samuel Adams
had been silently hostile TO the proposed
Constitution. On Jan. 30. however, Gov.
Hancock appeared for the first time in
the convention, and suggested on the fol-
lowing day that. in connection with the
ratification of the Constitution, certain
amendments should be recommended the
adoption Of which would remove the OBJ
jections on the part Of many Of the mem
bers Thereupou. Samuel Adams indorsed
what he called "A Conciliatory proposition
and urged that il be considered. To these
two men the ratification by Massachusetts
was uuquestionably due, although when
the question was put on Feb 9. l7ss. the
vote was close ls7 delegates being recorded
in the affirmative and l6s in the negative
BY the latter part OF May, two more States,
Maryland and South Carolina, making
eight States in all. had ratified. and as the
instrument Of government was 20 become
operative when sanctioned by nine States
intense interest. Of course. attached 10
the Virginia convention, which was called
for the second Of June. 10 the New York
convention, for the 18th. and 10 The New
Hampshire convention, which had at first
failed to ratify, and had adjourned to
June is
The New Hampshire convention, in
which, when Il first met. in February, i7Ss,
the -Federalists had been dominant,
ratified the Constitution on June y by
vote Of 81 to a., but. following the example
Of Massachusetts,, it coupled the ratifica-
ton with the recommendation Of twelve
amendments New Hampshire. therefore.
was really the ninth State 10 ratify. and
by that act the Constitution became nom
inally operative. New HampShire's adj
heaiou. however, was not really decisive
1t il very doubtful whether the plan OF
union could have been carried into effect
against the persistent refusal Of Virginia
or New York TO approve oft. As q matter
of fact. Virginia knew nothing of the posi-
tion taken by New Hampshire, when. on
June rs. the Constitution was ratified by
the former state. There had been in Vir-
rinia much opposition 10 the proposed
leul.-, organic law. and there had been
some tain Of a separate Southern con-
federacy. which, according 70 Madison. il
was supposed that Patrick Henry favored
There il no doubt that. in the debates
in the Virginia convention. Patrick Henry
was the leader on the anti-Federalist side.
though he was ably assisted by Ben jamin
Harrison. John Tyler and James Monroe.
the future President. Against these we're
arrayed such speakers a. Madison. Richard
Henry Lee and John Marshal, who were
backed 10y the silent influence OF Wash
ingtou The lcderali-t- we're in continual ,
dread Of a stampede a- the rc5ult Of Pat
rick Hcnry's fiery eloq ueuce. but IL did
not come, and on June Is tho Constitution 3
was ratified by a vote OF 50 10 20, but here 4