Page:The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 Volume 2.djvu/652

 6r6 RECOKD$ OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Monday MADISON September his own were known to be; but is it possible to deliberate between anarchy and Convulsion on one side, and the chance of good to be expected from the plan on the other. Mr Blount said he had declared that he would not sign, so as to pledge himself in support of the plan, but he was re- lieved by the form proposed and would without committing himself attest the fact that the plan was the unanimous act of the States in Convention. Doer. Franklin expressed his fears from what Mr Randolph had said, that he thought himself alluded to in the remarks offered this morning to the House. He declared that when drawing up that paper he did not know that any particular member would refuse to sign his name to the instrument, and hoped to be so understood. He professed a high sense of obligation to Mr. Randolph for having brought forward the plan in the first instance, and for the assistance he had given in its progress, and hoped that he would yet lay aside his objections, and, by concurring with his brethren, prevent the great mischief which the refusal of his name might produce Mr. Randolph could not but regard the signing in the pro- posed form, as the same with signing the Constitution. The change of form therefore could make no difference with him. He repeated that in refusing to sign the Constitution, he took a step which might be the most awful of his life, but it was dictated by his conscience, and it was not possible for him to hesitate, much less, to change. He repeated also his persuasion, that the holding out this plan with a final alter- native to the people, of accepting or rejecting it in t0to, would really produce the anarchy & civil convulsions which were apprehended from the refusal of individuals to sign it. Mr Gerry described the painful feelings of his situation, and the embarrassment under which he rose to offer any further observations on the subject wch. had been finally decided. Whilst the plan was depending, he had treated it with all the freedom he thought it deserved-- He now felt himself bound as he was disposed to treat it with the respect due to the Act of the Convention-- He hoped he should not violate that respect in declaring on this occasion his fears

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