Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1937-10-07
MasOns Observe
Constitution Date
Continued from Page u


rapid change in state governments
had in many cases weakened the
authority of the law within the states
themselves, said Mr.. Robey. It could
have been likened to anarchy and
during that almost chaotic period the
fathers of this country met and drew
up this world-famous document
the Constitution.
1t was done with every possible
opposition from within and without.
The journal or minutes of the con-
vention was not published until about
so years after its ratification by nine
states, because of the public opinion
and opposition which might have pre-
vented its adoption by the states had
it been made public at the time of
the signing.
Many Problems.
Mr.. Robey pointed out to his lis
teners that there were many prob
lens facing the people of that time;
in fact the convention was called
for the real purpose of amending the
Articles of Confederation which had
been drawn up in 1871 and which
were proving inadequate for a grow
ing, new country. Every state had
different idea, Connecticut laid
claim to northeastern Pennsylvania
and was driven out by force; in
Massachusetts the so-called Shay's
Rebellion in favor of paper money
had necessitated the raising of an
army. 1t was difficult to collect debts
in distant states and all sorts of
foolish legislation was INDUCED in
until it was seen that ruin or regen-
Grafton must follow.
Conditions Were Bad.
The speaker quoted passages from
history books which indicated that
conditions were in many respects
less satisfactory than before the war
began; there were conflicts over
which state had done the most in
the war, territorial disputes and
claims of offsets against the demands
of congress until that body became
so powerless that sometimes it could
not actually raise enough money to
buy stationery. Therefore thoughtful
men soon saw that something had
to be done speedily or else the coun-
try would either have civil war or
would fall a prey to foreign attack.
Early in the struggle Benjamin Frank
lin had published the picture of
snake cut into 13 pieces with the
superscription, unite or Die"
Mr.. Robey discussed briefly the
struggle from all angles and told
finally of the victory for the sup
porters of the Constitution. On the
day of the adoption by the convention
of the Constitution he quoted Mr..
Franklin, who was then 81 years of
age, as making statement that he
had lived long time and had often
been obliged to change his opinion
on matters on. which he was sure
he was once right; the older he grew
therefore, the more apt was he to
doubt his own judgment and to pay
more respect to the judgment of
others. Mr.. Franklin died three years
after that date, said the speaker
The Constitution was signed by 80
of the SIS original members of the con-
vention, but there were states which
were not represented. 1t was at that
juncture in history that the twin
parties, the Federal and the Anti
Federal, were born.
Mr.. Robey traced happenings sub
sequent to the signing of the Consti-
tuition by the convention which
made clear the battle to get the docu-
ment ratified by the various states.
The discussion was waged with
great bitterness especially in Massa-
chusetts, Virginia and New York
New Hampshire was the ninth to
sign, on May %, 1888, about a year
from the opening of the convention.
Others followed; Rhode Island finally
in 1870. Certain objections urged by
the Anti-Federalists were removed
by adoption of the first 10 amend
ments in the year 1891.
After the speaking program a
lunch was enjoyed in the basement
of the temple.