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Strenuous Objections

Third of a Series by Bob Toerpe

The Revolutionary War had been won. The constitution had been written, eight states had approved it - one more was required.  If there was to be a United States of America, Virginia must approve the constitution.  The greatest obstacle was one man, Patrick Henry.

Patrick Henry was acknowledged, while still in his 30s, as the greatest debater in British America.  A contemporary said, "He has all of the skills needed in debate, vocal variety, use of irony, wit, comic humor, ridicule, exclamations that make the soul start and pathos.  All used to enforce his reasoning and put flight to his adversaries."  Minimizing Henry's impact on the delegates was essential.

Pendleton, in his role as convention president, rose and stated, "We are not to consider whether the federal convention in Philadelphia exceeded their powers; this constitution was transmitted to Congress by that convention; by the Congress transmitted to our legislature; by them, recommended to the people; the people sent us here to determine whether this government be a proper one or not."

Henry argued strenuously against the narrowing of the debate, but finally relented.

George Mason, 62, then rose for recognition.  The delegates became silent and  leaned forward.  They knew Mason was the 1776 author of the Virginia Declaration of rights.  "This should be a free and full investigation of this important subject...there should be a clause by clause discussion of the new constitution before any vote be taken."

Madison was pleased, his side was better equipped to defend the written words than to take on Henry in a wide-ranging debate.  The delegates agreed to a clause by clause review.  The clerk then read the preamble and the clauses.

Patrick Henry rose to begin the great debate.  Because the preamble had been read, Henry was able to concentrate on that and launch a powerful attack on the entire document.  "What right had they to say 'We the people,' instead of 'We the state'?  We have been offered a consolidated in lieu of a confederated government...they exceeded their authority...they offer us a revolution as radical as that which separated us from Great Britain.  This document is deformed, "he continued, "in this transition, our rights...are endangered...states will be relegated to road-building, all power will be in the consolidated government.

"Can't we see the deformity?  The document squints...it squints towards monarchy."
 

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