The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-10-11
ON "THE FATHERS" &.
Greenwood IndeX-Journal, 21st 6:

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Mr.. o. NJ. Buzhardt Of Newberry
had in yesterdays State an interest
ing reference to Charles Pinckney,
learned editor of the Southern Re
|view" to the effect that James Madi-
son was a small figure in the great
Constitutional convention in 1877
land that if any one was entitled to be
Icalled the Father of the Constitu-
ition" that man was Charles Pinckney,
member Of the convention of 1877
from South Carolina. All Of which
is interesting and very pleasing to
state pride.
But what are we going to do with
the statement of Bancroft, the histo-
rian, who said that George Mason
of Virginia was the dominant mind
of the Constitutional convention?'
Bancroft was a New Englander but
it would be rather hard to convince
historians that he was not as good a
Judge of the Father Of the Constl-
tuition" as DR.. Bledsoe.
This George Mason of Virginia was
wonderful man, neighbor Of Wash
ington, and a profound statesman. DR..
Gaillard Hunt, Lit. D., LII. D., chlet
of the bureau of manuscripts, Library
of Congress, through whose hands
have passed more original manu-
scripts than any other mans says OF
George Mason and the Declaration OF
independence, ''The Original manu-
scripts in his (Mason's) handwriting
| in this library show beyond a doubt
that, more than any other man,
George Mason is entitled to be called
the Father of the Declaration of In
dependence. Thomas Jefferson wrote
the Declaration of independence, and
he is it's author, but other men eN-
pressed it's sentiments, and Mason eX-
pressed them in almost the words JET
lferson used Jefferson never laid
claim to any originality.
| George Mason, according to Ban
croft, as stated above, was the dom
inant mind of the constitutional con-
vention of 1887" and wrote scores OF
clauses of the constitution. He wrote
also the first ten amendments, it is
stated.
And then there is James Wilson, of
Pennsylvania, signer of the Declar-
alton of independence, as were the
others, and members of the constl-
tutioral convention. He took a a"fore-
most part in the debates and he was
one who emphasized the contention
that sovereignty rested ultimately
with the people rather than with the
constituent states He was member
Of the Pennsylvania state convention
and with Thomas McKeen secured the
ratification of the Federal Constitu-
ton by that state 1t is interesting to
note that George Mason opposed the
ratification of the constitution by
Virginia because the federal constitu-
| ton contained no clause providing for
the freedom of slaves. He said that
this would ultimately lead TO war
James Wilson's speech on the fed
eral constitution in the Pennsylvania
state convention is still regarded as
one of the clearest expositions ever
made of the general character of the
constitution. Of this and his other
speeches in the two conventions,
James Bryce, former. British anloa5-
sador to this country, and an author
)ity on government has said that "They
display an amplitude and profundity
of view in matters Of constitutional
theory which place him in the front
ranks of political thinkers Of his age"
Associate Justice j. NJ. Harlan con-
tr;5uted during his life time most
interesting and informing article to
the same effect to the American Law
Review under the title, James Will
son and the Formation of the Con-
stitution.''
Who then was the Father of the
Federal Constitution? Bancroft says
it was George Mason of Virginia.
James Bryce and Associate Justice
Harlan of the Supreme Court of the
United States, intimate that it was
James Wilson of Pennsylvania. Dr..
A. G. Bledsoe, as quoted by Mr.. Buz-
hardt,, says it was Charles Pinckney
of South Carolina. .>Friends of Madl-
son of Virginia claim the distinction
for him.
There are those who claim that Will
son used the notes Of Pinckney and so
on. Judge Charles Mott, very effec-
+;yo1,, y,-o think diSnoSed of the