Democracy, Liberty, and Property: The State Constitutional Conventions of the 1820s

9. “Address to the People”

9 “Address to the People” When the convention finally approved of the f ourteen amendments it also adopted an “Address to the People” that had been drafted by a committee especially appointed for the purpose. The document, only parts of which are given below, helps to reveal the spirit of the convention as well as to explain and justify in summary form the amendments proposed to the people. Fell ow-Cit izens , It was provided in the constitution,established in the y ear one thousand seven hundred and eighty,that revision might be had after an experiment of fifteen years.When these years had elapsed,the people declared that they were satis- fied; and that they desired no change. The same satisfaction was manifested during the next twenty-five years, and would probably have still continued,if the separation of Maine from Massachusetts had not made it proper to take the opinion of the people on the expediency of calling a Convention. It appeared that not one fourth part of the qualified voters in the State saw fit to express any opinion;and that of the eighteen thousand thr ee hundred and forty-nine votes given in, six thousand five hundred and ninetythree were against a revision. We have inferred from these facts,that you did not desire any important and fundamental changes in your frame of government; and this consideration has had its just infl uence on our deliberations, in revising every part of the constitution, which we were required to do, by the words of the law, under which we are assembled. From Journal, pp. 622–32. 98 The Massachusetts Convention We have kept in view that the will of the major ity can alone determine what the powers of government shall be, and also the manner in which these powers shall be exercised; and that it is, consequently, your exclusive right to decide, whether all, or any of the amendments, which we think expedient, shall be adopted or rejected. In the performance of our duty, we have been mindful of the character of Massa ch use t t s; and, that the profit of experience is justly valued, and that the precious right of self-government is well understood in this community. Perfect unanimity is not to be expected in a numerous assembly. Whatever difference of opinion may have occurred as to expediency,there has been no difference as to the ultimate object, viz., the public security and welfare. If we have not all agreed in every measure which we recommend,we are satis- fied, that natural, and honest difference of opinion, must ever prevent, in a like numerous meeting, greater accordance than has prevailed among us. Every proposed change or amendment has been patiently and fairly examined , and has been decided upon with the utmost care and solicitude to do right. We have the fullest confidence that you will take these things into view, when you perform the serious duty of deciding, for yourselves, and for successive generations, on the result of our efforts. In f raming a constitution, or revising one, for an extensiv e Commonwealth ,in which various interests are comprised,nothing more can be hoped for,than to establish general r ules,adapted to secure the greatest good for the whole society. The revised constitution, which we now respectfully submit to you, can only be considered as one general law, composed of connected and dependent parts.If any one part,considered by itself,seem not to be the best that could be,its merit and the justice of its claim to approbation can be known only by its connection in the system to which it appertains. With these remarks we beg leave to state the amendments which w e have agreed on, and our reasons for having done so. The Declaration of Rights It is known to us,that the eminent men who framed the constitution under which we have lived bestowed on the only article of the declaration of rights, “Address to the People” 99 which has occasioned much discussion among us, the greatest attention. They appear to have considered religion in a twofold view; first, as directory to every rational being, in the duties which he ow es to the Creator of the universe; but leaving to e very one to decide for himself , on the manner in which he shall render...