Ratifying
the Federal Constitution
By
Albert E. Van Dusen
In
the mid-1780s growing dissatisfaction with the weak Articles
of
Confederation resulted in a call for a convention at Philadelphia
in 1787. Roger Sherman (1721-1793), Oliver Ellsworth (1745-1807),
and William Samuel Johnson (1727-1819), Connecticut's skillful
and astute delegates, helped to engineer the "Connecticut
Compromise," which provided for equal representation in
the Senate and representation according to population in the
House
of Representatives.
The
proposed constitution, printed in the newspapers, was the immediate
focus of discussions. The most effective literature in favor
of
the constitution was a newspaper series written by "A LANDHOLDER," actually
Ellsworth, who argued that the new constitution was vital if
the United States were to be strong and prosperous.
In
October 1787 the assembly voted to have a special convention,
with delegates elected by each town, to decide the issue of
ratification.
The delegates, convening at Hartford on January 3, 1788, elected
former governor Matthew Griswold (1714-1799) president. The
proceedings
were open to the public and newspapers printed lengthy accounts
of the debates. Ellsworth opened the debate with a powerful
speech,
declaring: "We must unite, in order to preserve peace among
ourselves." Johnson followed with a somber description of
the current situation: "We have got to the very brink of
ruin; we must turn back, and adopt a new system."
The
anti-Federalists, opposing the proposed constitution for giving
the central government far too much power, were led by General
James Wadsworth (1730-1817). He particularly denounced the proposed
duties on imports and the great military and financial powers
which the Constitution bestowed on the central government.
After
much intense debate, on January 9 the major question of ratification
was moved and seconded. Governor Samuel Huntington (l731-1796),
Lieutenant-Governor Oliver Wolcott, Sr. (1726-1797), and Chief
Judge of the Superior Court Richard Law (1732/33-1806) each delivered
eloquent pleas for ratification, after which the fateful vote
was taken--128 in favor and only 40 opposed. Connecticut, the
fifth state to approve the Federal Constitution, became one of
the most Federalist of all the states.
For
Further Reading
Labaree,
Leonard W., ed. Public Records of the State of Connecticut.
Hartford, 1945. See especially volume 6, pp. 548-573.
Steiner,
Bernard C. "Connecticut's Ratification of the Federal Constitution," American
Antiquarian Society Proceedings 25 (April 1915):
70-127.
*
Entry under revision.
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