Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-19
The Father Of Prophets.

The Father Of Prophets.
1t has been stated that the trainers
of the Constitution living in a print.
tive society and but dimly foreSeeine
the future, devised broad and general
form OF government, not merely because
they were in an audaciouS frame OF
mind, but also because they were sc
uncertain as to the future that they
dared not. be too specific in providing
for it. The fathers may have beer
modest as to their foresight, but they
nevertheless, revealed it to an astound-
ing degree III their almost unbelievably
frank debates. There is hardly a major
issue or development in American poll
tics which was not foretoId by one OF
more speakers during the convention
The following quotations show the
vision of those men:
AS to America as a World Power
Mr.. Morris f1attered himself that he
came here in some degree as a repre-
sentative of the whole human race; for
the whole human race will be. affected
by the proceedings of this convention "
Western Development.-"Mr. Randolph
said that in time the Western people
Mr.. Mason did not know but
merous and more wealthy than their
Atlantic brethren"
Civil War-"Mr. Morris said this
country must be genuinely united. If
persuasion does not unite it, the sword
will Suppose that some
States are outvoted? They will declare
that they will not abide by the result.
This may happen to Virginia and other
States. OF what avail, then. will be
what Is on paper? State attachments
and State Importance have been the
bane of this country" Mr.
Pinckney said there is a real distinction
ests." MIR. King stated that the differ
epce of interests did not lie between
the great and small States, but between
the Southern and Eastern"
Abolition.-"Mr. Ellsworth said that
If it was to be considered in a moral
light we ought to go further and free
the slaves already in the country" -
Mr.. Mason said slavery will bring the
Judgment of Heaven on a country.
Providence Furnishes national sins by
national calamities." Mr..
Morris will submit himself to a tax for
paying for all the Negroes in the United
States" "Mr. Butler said the
security the Southern States want is
that their Negroes may not be taken
away from them, which some gentle
men within or without doors have a
very good mind to do"
Foreign Entanglements.-"M Morris
was not solicitous to multiply and
facilitate treaties. He wished none to
be made with Great Britain till she
should be at war. So with other foreign
powers"
Preparedness.-"Gen. Pinckney asked
. L. TO- u
until an attack should be made on us?"
The British Bogey.-"Mr. Mason said
that the great houses of British mer-
chants would spare no pains to insinu-
ate the instruments Of their views into
the Government This in
fernal (slave) traffic originated in the
avarice Of British merchants"
Rich and PoAr.-"Mr. Madison said
that in future tfE$eA great majority
of our people will rot only be without
land, but without any other sort of
property. These will combine"
Or Franklin said that some of the
greatest rogues he was ever acquainted
with were the richest rogueS."
"Mr. Morris said that life and liberty
we're generally said to be of more value
than property. An accurate view of the
matter would, nevertheless, prove that
property was the main object Of society.
The savage state was more favorable to
liberty than the civilized and suffi-
GENTLY so for life, 1t was preferred by
all men who had not acquired taste
for property; it was only renowned for
the sake of property, which could only
be secured by the restraints Of regular
government. AS to aristocracy.
his creed was that there never was,
nor ever will be, civilized society with
out an ariStOcracVn
Salary Increases.-"Mr. Sherman
moved that So per day be paid the leg
islators." DIR. Franklin approved rem
dering salaries as fixed as possible, but
disliked the word liberal He would
prefer the word moderate If 1t was
necessary to substitute amy other.
Though we may set out with moderate
salaries, we shall find that such will not
be of long continuance. Reasons will
never be wanting for proposed augment
tations."