Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/243

 RECOilDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION 7 Thursday MADISON August 9 foreigners after looking about for some other Country in which they can obtain more happiness, give a preference to ours, it is a proof of attachment which ought to excite our confi- dence & affection. Mr. Randolph did not know but it might be problematical whether emigrations to this Country were on the whole useful or not: but he could never agree to the motion for disabling them for x 4 years to participate in the public honours: He reminded the Convention of the language held by our patriots during the Revolution, and the principles laid down in all our American Constitutions. Many foreigners may have fixed their fortunes among us under the faith of these invi- tations. All persons under this description with all others who would be affected by such a regulation, would enlist them- selves under the banners of hostility to the proposed System. He would go as far as seven years, but no further. Mr. Wilson said he rose with feelings which were perhaps peculiar; mentioning the circumstance of his not being a native, and the possibility, if the ideas of some gentlemen should be pursued, of his being incapacitated from holding a place under the very Constitution which he had shared .in the trust of making. He remarked the illiberal complexion which the motion would give to the System, & the effect which a good system would have in inviting meritorious foreigners among us, and the discouragement & mortifica- tion they must feel from the degrading discrimination, now proposed. He had himself experienced this mortification. On his removal into Maryland, he found himself, from defect of residence, under certain legal incapacities, which never ceased to produce chagrin, though he assuredly did not de- sire & would not have accepted the offices to which they related. To be appointed to a place may be matter of indiffer-- ence. To be incapable of being appointed, is a circumstance grating, and mortifying. Mr. Govr. Morris. The lesson we are taught is that we should be governed as much by our reason, and as little by our feelings as possible. What is the language of Reason on this subject? That we should not be polite at the expense

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