RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 647 Monday MADISON September that a Civil war may result from the present crisis of the U. S-- In Massachusetts, particularly he saw the danger of this calam- itous event-- In that State there are two parties, one voted to Democracy, the worst he thought of all political evils, the other as violent in the opposite extreme. From the collision of these in opposing and resisting the Constitution, confusion was greatly to be feared. He had thought it necessary for this & other reasons that the plan should have been proposed in a more mediating shape, in order to abate the heat and opposition of parties-- As it had been passed by the Convention, he was persuaded it would have a contrary effect-- He could not therefore by signing the Constitution pledge himself to abide by it at all events. The proposed form made no difference with him. But if it were not otherwise apparent, the refusals to sign should never be known from him. Alluding to the remarks of Docr. Franklin, he could not he said but view them as levelled at himself and the other gentlemen who meant not to sign; Genl Pinkney-- We are not likely to gain many converts by the ambiguity of the proposed form of signing. He thought it best to be candid and let the form speak the substance? If the meaning of the signers be left in doubt, his purpose would not be answered-- He should sign the Constitution with a view to support it with all his influence, and wished to pledge himself accordingly-- Docr. Franklin. It is too soon to pledge ourselves before Congress and our Constituents shall have approved the plan. Mr Ingersol did not consider the signing, either as a mere attestation of the fact, or as pledging the signers to support the Constitution at all events; but as a recommendation, of what, all things considered, was the most eligible. On the motion of Docr. Franklin N.H. ay. Mas. ay-- Ct. ay-- N.J. ay-- Pa. ay-- Del- ay. Md. ay. Va. ay-- (N. C. ay> u S.C. divd.* Geo. ay. [Ayes -- IO; noes -- o; divided -- x.]
- Genl Pinkney & Mr. Butler disliked the equivocal form of the signing, and on
that account voted in the negative Taken from Journal.
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