Evening star., 1937-09-26

afforded matter Of surprise to many
who had conceived mean ideas OF the
state of civilization in America and
could not have expected 80 much
political knowledge and sagacity had
existed in our wildernesses. And from
all parts I have the satisfaction to
hear that our Constitutions in general
are much admired. I am persuaded
that this step will not only tend to
promote the emigration to our country
Of substantial people from all parts
of Europe by the numerous copies I
shall diSperSe, but will facilitate our
future treaties with foreign courts, who
could not before know what kind OF
Government and people they had to
treat with"
These very copies that Franklin had
printed. after translation. are on dis
play in the library exhibit. Not only
this, but one of the handsomely bound
red morocco editions mentioned in
his letter, is also among those shown.
This edition bears the arms, in gold,
of the Duke de la Rochefoucault, who
translated the Constitutions from
English into French at Franklin's re-
quest. There is also another COPY of
this book-and a famous one. as 1t
once belonged to the collection of
Thomas Jefferson.
FROM this point on the struggle
between "Federalists" and Anti
Federalists" is graphically portrayed
by means of broadsides, documents,
newspaper reports and books OF the
times. Argument and debate. pro and
Con, were printed in profusion during
this period in our history when the
first attempts were being made to
center power in strong Federal Gov
ernment. Those who feared for the
safety OF States rights expressed them
selves as freely as those who believed
firmly in strong central Government,
and the struggle is unfolded in this
exceedingly well-chosen display of
contemporary literature. The quaint
phraseology. the naive arguments
advanced, the beauty and simplicity
VA ~ Vic ullI SStl dlllCu SA-
preston of personal opinions in the
matter, all combine to make the era
live again through this exhibit.
To the citizens of New York. one
typical broadside made the following
reply to many Federalists": Keep
a good lookout, my fellow citizens!
The enemies Of federalism know they
can do nothing in this city by fair
play. They are therefore trying to
divide you that they may. If possible,
smuggle in few of thei friends. and
they stick at nothing to effect this"
Holly the disputes waged and xcath-
ing were the attacks on both sides.
We are shown in the exhibit "Decius'
letters on the opposition to the new
Constitution, in Virginia. 1789." and
one Of the most powerful controver-
sial pamphlets Of the day-''Letters
OF Fabius in 1888 against the anti
Federalists." There are here, too, the
Letters of Centinel. written by Sam
uel Bryan of Philadelphia. Bryan was
an anti-Federalist and his articles,
opposing strong central government.
were printed in newspapers and later
compiled as observations on the
Proposed Constitution, l788."
MANY other pamphlets and books
give picture of this period. dur
ing which the various State Legisla-
lures were discussing ratification of
the new Constitution, among which
must be mentioned the collection
known to us as THE Federalist," writ
ten and published anonymously but
later found to have been the work of
Law Madison And Hamilton and In