Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 1.djvu/318

 288 RECORDS OF THE  CONVENTION Monday MADISON fun: 18 certain undertakers who wish for particular offices under the Govt. This view of the subject almost led him to despair that a Republican Govt. could be established over so great an extent. He was sensible at the same time that it would be unwise to propose one of any other form. In his private opinion he had no scruple in declaring, supported as he was by the opinions of so many of the wise Sc good, that the British Govt. was the best in the world: and that he doubted much whether any thing short of it would do in America.'; He hoped Gentlemen of different opinions would bear with him in this, and begged them to recollect the change of opinion on this subject which had taken place and was still going on. lt was once thought that the power of Congs was amply sufficient to secure the end of their institution. The error was now seen by every one. The members most tenacious of republicanism, he ob- served, were as loud as any in declairning agst. the vices of democracy. This progress of the public mind led him to anticipate the time, when others as well as himself would join in the praise bestowed by Mr. Neckar on the British Constitution, namely, that it is the only Govt. in the world "which unites public strength with individual security."-~ In every community where industry is encouraged, there will be a division of it into the few Sc the many. Hence separate interests will arise There will be debtors St Creditors &c. Give all power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all power to the few they will oppress the many. Both there- fore ought to have power, that each may defend itself agst. the other. To the want of this check we owe our paper money winstalment laws Sec To the proper adjustment of it the British owe the excellence of their Constitution. Their house of Lords is a most noble institution. Having nothing to hope for by a change, and a sufiicient interest by means of their property, in being faithful to the National interest, they form a permanent barrier agst. every pernicious innovation, whether °This is doubtless the basis of the charge that in the Convention Hamilton favored the establishment of a monarchy. See Appendix A, CCXXXIII, CCLXXI, CCXCII, CCXCIV, CCXCV, CCCIX, CCCXI, CCCXII, CCCXXIV, CCCXXVHI, CCCLIV, CCCLXVII, CCCLXXX, CCCXCVII.