00000274 |
Previous | 274 of 534 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JAY. 239
My opinion is, that this country has yet to feel and see
a little more before it can be accomplished. A thirst for
power, and the bantling—I had like to have said MONSTER
—sovereignty, which have taken such fast hold of the States
individually, will, when joined by the many whose personal
consequence* in the line of State politics will in a manner
be annihilated, form a strong phalanx against it; and when
to these, the few who can hold posts of honour or profit in
the national government are compared with the many who
will see but little prospect of being noticed, and the discontents of others who may look for appointments, the opposition would be altogether irresistible, till the mass as well
as the more discerning part of the community shall see the
necessity.
Among men of reflection, few will be found, I believe,
who are not beginning to think that our system is better in
theory than practice ; and that, notwithstanding the boasted
yirtue of America, it is more than probable we shall exhibit
the last melancholy proof that mankind are not competent
to their own government, without the means of coercion, in
the sovereign. Yet I would try what the wisdom of the
proposed Convention will suggest, and what can be effected
by their counsels. It may be the last peaceable mode of
essaying the practicability of the present form, without a
greater lapse of time than the exigency of our affairs will
admit. In strict propriety, a Convention so holden may
not be legal; Congress, however, may give it a colouring
by recommendation which would fit it more to the taste,
without proceeding to a definition of powers: this, however
constitutionally it might be done, would not in my opinion
be expedient; for delicacy on the one hand, and jealousy
on t|je other, would produce a mere nihil.
My name is in the delegation to this Convention ; but it
was put there contrary to my desire, and remains contrary
to my request. Several reasons at the time of this appoint-
| Title | The correspondence and public papers of John Jay - 3 |
| Creator | Jay, John |
| Publisher | G.P. Putnam's Sons |
| Place of Publication | New York, London |
| Date | [1890-93] |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000274 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JAY. 239 My opinion is, that this country has yet to feel and see a little more before it can be accomplished. A thirst for power, and the bantling—I had like to have said MONSTER —sovereignty, which have taken such fast hold of the States individually, will, when joined by the many whose personal consequence* in the line of State politics will in a manner be annihilated, form a strong phalanx against it; and when to these, the few who can hold posts of honour or profit in the national government are compared with the many who will see but little prospect of being noticed, and the discontents of others who may look for appointments, the opposition would be altogether irresistible, till the mass as well as the more discerning part of the community shall see the necessity. Among men of reflection, few will be found, I believe, who are not beginning to think that our system is better in theory than practice ; and that, notwithstanding the boasted yirtue of America, it is more than probable we shall exhibit the last melancholy proof that mankind are not competent to their own government, without the means of coercion, in the sovereign. Yet I would try what the wisdom of the proposed Convention will suggest, and what can be effected by their counsels. It may be the last peaceable mode of essaying the practicability of the present form, without a greater lapse of time than the exigency of our affairs will admit. In strict propriety, a Convention so holden may not be legal; Congress, however, may give it a colouring by recommendation which would fit it more to the taste, without proceeding to a definition of powers: this, however constitutionally it might be done, would not in my opinion be expedient; for delicacy on the one hand, and jealousy on t|je other, would produce a mere nihil. My name is in the delegation to this Convention ; but it was put there contrary to my desire, and remains contrary to my request. Several reasons at the time of this appoint- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| G |
|
| H |
|
| M |
|
| T |
|
| U |
|
| Y |
|
|
|
