Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/327

 On this proposal of amendment, a very animated debate ensued, which resulted in its rejection, and the adoption of the original report, by a majority of more than two for one.

These two measures — the election of the senators named by Mr. Henry, in opposition to so formidable a competitor as Mr. Madison — and the cariying so strong a measure, as the call of a new continental convention, for the purpose of revising and altering the constitution — certainly furnish the most decisive proof, that his influ- ence remained unimpaired by the part which he had taken in the convention of the state.

It was in the course of the debate which has been just mentioned, that Mr. Henry was driven from his usual decorum into a retaliation, that became a theme of great public merriment at the time, and has conti- nued ever since, one of the most popular anecdotes that relate to him. He had insisted it seems, with great force, that the speedy adoption of the amendments was the only measure that could secure the great and un- alienable rights of the freemen of this country — that the people were known to be exceedingly anxious for this measure — that it was the only step which could recon- cile them to the new constitution— and assure that public contentment, security and confidence^ which were the sole objects of government, and without which no government could stand — that whatever might be the individual sentiments of gentlemen, yet the wishes of the people, the fountain of all authority, being known, they were bound to conform to those wishes — that, for his own part, he considered his opinion as nothing, when opposed to those of his constituents; and that he was ready and willing, at all times and on all occasions^ '- to boto tcith the utmost deference^ to the majesty of the

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