Rebellion
6/20 Col. MASON: It was acknowledged by Mr. PATTERSON, that his plan could not be enforced without
military coercion. Does he consider the force of this concession? The most jarring elements of nature, fire and
water themselves, are not more incompatible than such a mixture of civil liberty and military execution. Will the
militia march from one State into another, in order to collect the arrears of taxes from the delinquent members of
the Republic? Will they maintain an army for this purpose? Will not the citizens of the invaded State assist one
another, till they rise as one man and shake off the Union altogether? Rebellion is the only case in which the
military force of the State can be properly exerted against its citizens. In one point of view, he was struck with
horror at the prospect of recurring to this expedient. To punish the non-payment of taxes with death was a
severity not yet adopted by despotism itself; yet this unexampled cruelty would be mercy compared to a military
collection of revenue, in which the bayonet could make no discrimination between the innocent and the guilty.
He took this occasion to repeat, that, notwithstanding his solicitude to establish a national Government, he
never would agree to abolish the State Governments, or render them absolutely insignificant. They were as
necessary as the General Government, and he would be equally careful to preserve them.
6/26 Mr. HAMILTON: Of late the Government [of Britain] had entirely given way to the people, and had in fact
suspended many of its ordinary functions, in order to prevent those turbulent scenes which had appeared
elsewhere. He asks Mr. SHERMAN, whether the State [Connecticut], at this time, dare impose and collect a tax
on the people?
7/13 Mr. WILSON: Conceiving that all men, wherever placed, have equal rights, and are equally entitled to
confidence, he viewed without apprehension the period when a few States should contain the superior number
of people. The majority of people, wherever found, ought in all questions, to govern the minority. If the interior
country should acquire this majority, it will not only have the right, but will avail itself of it, whether we will or no.
This jealousy misled the policy of Great Britain with regard to America. The fatal maxims espoused by her were,
that the Colonies were growing too fast, and that their growth must be stinted in time. What were the
consequences? First, enmity on our part, then actual separation. Like consequences will result on the part of the
interior settlements, if like jealousy and policy be pursued on ours.
7/20 Mr. RANDOLPH: The propriety of impeachments was a favorite principle with him. Guilt, wherever found,
ought to be punished. The Executive will have great opportunities of abusing his power; particularly in time of
war, when the military force, and in some respects the public money, will be in his hands. Should no regular
punishment be provided, it will be irregularly inflicted by tumults and insurrections.
8/16 Mr. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS: For a long time the people of America will not have money to pay direct
taxes. Seize and sell their effects, and you push them into revolts.