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Jensen, Merrill (ed.) / Ratification of the Constitution by the states: Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut
3 (1978)
V. Commentaries on the Constitution, 13 November 1787-7 January 1788, pp. 456-534
Page 534
CONNECTICUT/7 JAN. him to adopt a Constitution which yet he can't fully comprehend, when he considers that it was framed by a number of characters as respectable perhaps as ever convened in this empire, or could be formed of the same number of men? And when he considers further that they have had to form a Constitution for themselves as well as for their constituents? and have been under the best advantages to know the particular circumstances of the several states in the Union? Have been upon the business for several months-have attended minutely to every article, to every clause in the draft; and have heard and weighed whatever could occur to the mind of each individual, either for or against-and when he considers further that this National Convention were under incomparably better advantages than he to judge what rights each state must surrender, and what they may re- serve, a matter peculiarly difficult in this instance, arising from a great difference among the several states as to their situation, ex- tent, habits, and particular interests, and in which are involved their prosperity, felicity, safety, and perhaps their national existence. I say when these things are taken into consideration, they will go far to- ward making every candid and modest man very diffident of his own ability to judge in this very important and intricate affair; and will make him very jealous of every man who shall, in a confident and noisy manner, reprobate the Constitution and try to raise the popular spirit against it. For indeed it is not uncommon to hear persons exclaim against the doings of the late Convention with a great deal of warmth and bitterness or against their being referred to state conven- tions rather than to the freemen at large, tho their objections discover nothing more than their ignorance or their selfishness; and as to some of these confident objectors, there is no room to doubt, but that their main aim is to gain the ear and confidence of the people; and, in this way, work themselves into some places of honor and profit. Since we are in general very unequal to the task of forming a judg- ment upon the Constitution, every man of common sense and suitable candor will cheerfully refer the matter to the approaching state Con- vention and peaceably acquiesce in their result, rather than by noisy and bitter exclamations work himself and others into a ferment which may tend to throw us into great confusion and contention. 1. This item was prefaced: "(Omitted last week [31 December] for want of room.)" 534
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