DEBATES IN THE CONVENTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, ON THE ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
Wednesday, February 6.
Page 170 | Page
image
Afternoon. -- Hon. Mr. TURNER. Mr. President, being advanced in life, and having
endeavored, I hope, with a faithful attention, according to my ability, to
assist my country in their trying difficulties and dangers for more than twenty
years; and as, for three weeks past, my state of health has been such as to
render me unable to speak in this assembly, -- I trust I shall be heard with
some indulgence, while I express a few sentiments at this solemn crisis. I have
been averse to the reception of this Constitution, while it was considered
merely in its original form; but since the honorable Convention have pleased to
agree to the recommendation of certain amendments, I acknowledge my mind is
reconciled. But even thus amended, I still see, or think I see, several
imperfections in it, and some which give me pain. Indeed, I never expect to see
a constitution free from imperfections; and, considering the great diversity of
local interests, views, and habits, -- considering the unparalleled variety of
sentiments among the citizens of the United States, -- I despair of obtaining a
more perfect constitution than this, at present. And a constitution preferable
to the Confederation must be obtained, and obtained soon, or we shall be an
undone people. In my judgment, there is a rational probability, a moral
certainty, that the proposed amendments will meet the approbation of the several
states in the Union. If there is any respect due to the hoary head of
Massachusetts, it will undoubtedly have its proper influence in this case. The
minds of gentlemen, throughout the nation, must be impressed with such a sense
of the necessity of all-important union, especially in our present
circumstances, as must strongly operate in favor of a Concurrence. The proposed
amendments are of such a liberal, such a generous, and such a catholic nature
and complexion, -- they are so congenial to the soul of every man who is
possessed of patriotic regard to the preservation of the just rights and
immunities of his country, as well as to the institution of a good and necessary
government, -- that I think they must, they will, be universally accepted. When,
in connection with this confidence, I consider the deplorable state of our
navigation and commerce, and various branches of business thereon dependent; the
inglorious and
Page 171 | Page
image
provoking figure we make in the eyes of our European creditors; the degree in
which the landed interest is burdened and depreciated; the tendency of
depreciating paper, and tender acts, to destroy mutual confidence, faith, and
credit, to prevent the circulation of specie, and to overspread the land with an
inundation, a chaos of multiform injustice, oppression, and knavery; when I
consider what want of efficiency there is in our government, as to obliging
people seasonably to pay their dues to the public, instead of spending their
money in support of luxury and extravagance, of consequence the inability of
government to satisfy the just demands of its creditors, and to do it in season,
so as to prevent their suffering amazingly by depreciation; in connection with
my anxious desire that my ears may be no longer perstringed, nor my heart
pained, with the cries of the injured widow and orphans; when I also consider
that state of our finances which daily exposes us to become a prey to the
despotic humor even of an impotent invader, -- I find myself constrained to say,
before this assembly, and before God, that I think it my duty to give my vote in
favor of this Constitution, with the proposed amendments; and, unless some
further light shall be thrown in my way to influence my opinion, I shall conduct
accordingly. I know not whether this Convention will vote a ratification of this
Constitution, or not. If they should do it, and have the concurrence of the
other states, may that God, who has always, in a remarkable manner, watched over
us and our fathers for good, in all difficulties, dangers, and distresses, be
pleased to command his almighty blessing upon it, and make it instrumental of
restoring justice, honor, safety, support, and salvation, to a sinking land! But
I hope it will be considered, by persons of all orders, ranks, and ages, that,
without the prevalence of Christian piety and morals, the best republican
constitution can never save us from slavery and ruin. If vice is predominant, it
is to be feared we shall have rulers whose grand Object will be (slyly evading
the spirit of the Constitution) to enrich and aggrandize themselves and their
connections, to the injury and oppression of the laborious part of the
community; while it follows, from the moral constitution of the Deity; that
prevalent iniquity must be the ruin of any people. The world of mankind have
always, in general, been enslaved and miserable, and always will be, until them
is a greater
Page 172 | Page
image
prevalence of Christian moral principles; nor have I any expectation of this, in
any great degree, unless some superior mode of education shall be adopted. It is
education which almost entirely forms the character, the freedom or slavery, the
happiness or misery, of the world. And if this Constitution shall be adopted, I
hope the Continental legislature will have the singular honor, the indelible
glory, of making it one of their first acts, in their first session, most
earnestly to recommend to the several states in the Union the institution of
such means of education as shall be adequate to the divine, patriotic purpose of
training up the children and youth at large in that solid learning, and in those
pious and moral principles, which are the support, the life and soul, of
republican government and liberty, of which a free constitution is the body;
for, as the body, without the spirit, is dead, so a free form of government,
without the animating principles of piety and virtue, is dead also, being alone.
May religion, with sanctity of morals, prevail and increase, that the patriotic
civilian and ruler may have the sublime, parental satisfaction of eagerly
embracing every opportunity of mitigating the rigors of government, in
proportion to that increase of morality which may render the people more capable
of being a law to themselves! How much more blessed this than to be employed in
fabricating constitutions of a higher tone, in obedience to necessity, arising
from an increase of turbulent vice and injustice in society! I believe your
excellency's patience will not be further exercised by hearing the sound of my
voice on the occasion, when I have said, May the United States of America live
before God! May they be enlightened, pious, virtuous, free, and happy, to all
generations!
Wednesday, February 6
Jonathan Elliot, Debates on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, Vol. 2, p.170