13,550

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on the last day of the Federal Convention of 1787 in

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September.

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"Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution

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because I expect no better and because I am not sure it

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is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors I

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have sacrificed to the public good. I have never whispered

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a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were

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born and here they shall stay. If every one of us in return

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ing to our constituents were to report the objections he

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has had to it and endeavor to gain partisans in support of

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them, we might prevent its being generally received and

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thereby lose all the salutary effects and great advantages

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resulting naturally in our favor among foreign nations as

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well as among ourselves from a real or apparent unanimity.

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Much of the strength and efficiency of any government in

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procuring and securing happiness to the people depends upon

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opinion, upon the general opinion of the goodness of

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government as well as the wisdom and integrity of its

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governors. I hope, therefore, that for our own sakes as

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a part of the people and for the sake of prosperity we shall

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act heartily and unanimously in recommending this