The Debate on the Constitution: Part Two by Bernard Bailyn

Author:Bernard Bailyn [Bailyn, Bernard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Library of America
Published: 2012-12-03T16:57:00+00:00

Henry Lee’s Sharp Reply to Patrick Henry’s Attacks on the Constitution

June 9, 1788

Mr. Lee, of Westmoreland.—Mr. Chairman.—When I spoke before, and called on the Honorable Gentleman (Mr. Henry) to come forward and give his reasons for his opposition, in a systematic manner; I did it from a love of order, and respect for the character of the Honorable Gentleman; having no other motives, but the good of my country. As he seemed so solicitous that the truth should be brought before the Committee on this occasion, I thought I could not do more properly, than to call on him for his reasons for standing forth the champion of opposition. I took the liberty to add, that the subject belonged to the judgments of the Gentlemen of the Committee, and not to their passions. I am obliged to him for his politeness in this Committee; but as the Honorable Gentleman seems to have discarded in a great measure, solid argument and strong reasoning, and has established a new system of throwing those bolts, which he has so peculiar a dexterity at discharging; I trust I shall not incur the displeasure of the Committee, by answering the Honorable Gentleman in the desultory manner in which he has treated the subject. I shall touch a few of those luminous points which he has entertained us with. He told us the other day, that the enemies of the Constitution were firm supporters of liberty; and implied that its friends were not republicans. This may have been calculated to make impressions disadvantageous to those Gentlemen who favor this new plan of Government; and impressions of that kind are not easily eradicated. I conceive that I may say with truth, that the friends of that paper are true republicans, and by no means less attached to liberty, than those who oppose it. The verity of this does not depend on my assertion, but on the lives, and well known characters of different Gentlemen in different parts of the Continent.—I trust the friends of that Government, will oppose the efforts of despotism as well as its opposers.

Much is said by Gentlemen out of doors. They ought to urge all their objections here. I hope they will offer them here. I shall confine myself to what is said here. In all his rage for democracy, and zeal for the rights of the people, how often does he express his admiration of that King and Parliament over the Atlantic? But we republicans are contemned and despised. Here, Sir, I conceive that implication might operate against himself.

He tells us that he is a staunch republican, and that he adores liberty. I believe him, and when I do so, I wonder that he should say, that a Kingly Government is superior to that system which we admire.—He tells you that it cherishes a standing army, and that militia alone ought to be depended upon for the defence of every free country.—There is not a Gentleman in this House—There is no man without these walls (not even the Gentleman himself) who admires the militia more than I do.

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