Monday, January 25, 2016

George Mason, "Notwithstanding the oppression and injustice experienced among us from democracy . . . He never could agree to give up all the rights of the people to a single magistrate."

   "Notwithstanding the oppression and injustice experienced among us from democracy, the genius of the people is in favor of it, and the genius of the people must be consulted. He could not but consider the federal system as in effect dissolved by the appointment of this Convention to devise a better one. And do gentlemen look forward to the dangerous interval between the extinction of an old, and the establishment of a new government, and to the scenes of confusion which may ensue? He hoped that nothing like a monarchy would ever be attempted in this country. A hatred to its oppressions had carried the people through the late revolution. Will it not be enough to enable the executive to suspend offensive laws, till they shall be coolly revised, and the objections to them over-ruled by a greater majority than was required in the first instance? He never could agree to give up all the rights of the people to a single magistrate."--Col. [George] Mason, June 4, 1787, Debates In The Federal Convention Of 1787, Held At Philadelphia. [Eliiot's Debates, Vol. V, Pg. 154]

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