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376
If my memory serves me after we had passed through the
Revolutionary struggle for independence, and it was found
that the articles of Confederation were not of sufficient
strength to secure the Government, the first proposal to re-
model the Government under which we now live emanated
from this place, and this is the Constitution I have been
taught to believe sacred in principle, and for the preserva-
tion of which I have periled my all. I now rely on the
principle upon which I have always relied, namely: first be
convinced that you are right, and thoroughly understand the
principle, and then you can rely on it that in pursuit of a
correct principle you can never reach a wrong conclusion.
Satisfied that the principles of the Constitution would pre-
serve the Union, I never hesitated or debated the question ;
and when we reflect on the patriotism of those who formed
that sacred instrument, and when we know that Washing-
ton, the Father of his Country, who, in the language of his
eulogist, was " first in war, first in peace, and first in the
hearts of his countrymen," was the President of the Conven-
tion which formed the Constitution which we are sworn to
support, we cannot but feel for it additional veneration.
You, gentlemen, of the Convention, now in session at Anna-
polis, are engaged in a work similar to that which occupied
the attention of our forefathers—the task of amending the
Constitution. Theirs was undertaken at a time when this
nation wag comparatively a handful of people, and our boun-
daries comprised within narrow limits. Our resources were
but a miniature of what they now are. That wise man as-
serted that government was instituted for the convenience of
man, and to be accommodated to every emergency, this was
to be secured by a Constitution founded on the great princi-
ple of civil and religious liberty, not to be overrun or borne
down by the majority in a storm of fury and passion.
When the requirements and securities of the Constitution
are set at naught by a tyrannical majority, and their will made
law, liberty is gone and despotism takes its place.
Amendments to the Constitution are to be made in the
mode designated by the instrument itself. Washington, hav-
ing assisted in making that Constitution, says in his farewell
address, that the people should submit to the Constitution as
it is, and if there is any objection, its amendments should be
made in the mode which the instrument itself provides.
Now, if this safeguard is not respected, where is free govern-
ment? None of it is left. In politics, as in religion, when
my facts give oat and reason fails, my conviction is strong
that truth is mighty and will ultimately triumph. Though
I may go down and perish, my proud consolation at the last
moment will be that I have done my duty, and this for me
will be a sufficient reward. In support of the Constitution
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