Malcolm Rivera
The ratification of the US Constitution in New York in 1788 was a highly contested affair. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, supported the adoption of the Constitution, while the Anti-Federalists, led by Governor George Clinton, opposed it. The Anti-Federalists argued that a stronger national government without a Bill of Rights would endanger individual liberties and state rights. The Federalists, on the other hand, believed that individual rights were already protected by state and common law. The struggle between these two factions dominated New York's ratification process, with the Federalists ultimately succeeding in creating a sense of consensus around the American union and the new Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| New York Constitution of 1846 | Rejected by voters in 1869 |
| New York Ratification Convention | Met in Poughkeepsie in mid-June 1788 |
| New York Ratification Process | Struggle between Anti-Federalists and Federalists |
| Anti-Federalists | Argued for a Bill of Rights and state autonomy |
| Federalists | Led by Alexander Hamilton, believed individual rights were protected by state and common law |
| Federalist Compromise | Agreed to introduce amendments protecting individual rights |
| New York Constitution | Establishes rights, freedoms, responsibilities, and limitations of government |
| Similar provisions to US Constitution, including freedom of speech, trial by jury, freedom of worship | |
| New York Constitution of 1867-68 | Rejected except for the "Judicial Article" |
| New York Constitution of 1822 | Accepted with 74,732 votes for and 41,402 against |
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What You'll Learn
The Anti-Federalists' opposition
The Anti-Federalists in New York opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution, advocating for amendments to be made before they would ratify it. This stance was influenced by the New York Circular Letter, a compromise that called for the use of the Convention provision to get the amendments demanded by New York and other states. Melancton Smith, who may have been the author of the "Federal Farmer" articles, led the Anti-Federalists at the New York Ratifying Convention in Poughkeepsie.
The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 anonymous letters to newspapers co-written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, argued in favour of the Federalist agenda. They asserted the need for a strong central government, particularly in foreign affairs, and maintained that the separation of powers provided a "check and balance" against tyranny.
In the end, despite the majority of the New York Ratifying Convention being Anti-Federalists, New York ratified the Constitution. This decision was influenced by the fact that 10 other states had already ratified it, and the debate shifted to whether New York would be a part of the Union.
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The Federalist's support
The Federalists supported the ratification of the US Constitution in New York, which was eventually achieved in 1788. Led by Alexander Hamilton, the only New York member of the Constitutional Convention to have signed the Constitution, the Federalists in New York were faced with strong opposition from the Anti-Federalists, led by Governor George Clinton.
The Federalist Papers, a series of 85 anonymous letters to newspapers, were co-written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. These papers were published primarily in two New York state newspapers: The New York Packet and The Independent Journal. They were reprinted in other newspapers in New York state and in several cities in other states. The authors tried to assure the public of two key points of the Federalist agenda. Firstly, they explained that a strong government was needed, especially if the United States was to be able to act effectively in foreign affairs. Secondly, they tried to convince readers that because of the "separation" of powers in the central government, there was little chance of the national government evolving into a tyrannical power. Instead, the separate branches would provide a "check and balance" against each other so that none could rise to complete dominance.
In New York, the Federalists faced a tough challenge due to the strong majority of Anti-Federalists when the state's ratification convention opened in Poughkeepsie in April 1788. Alexander Hamilton, the leading New York Federalist, managed a brilliant campaign that narrowly won the issue (30-27) by combining threat and accommodation. He warned that commercial down-state areas might separate from upstate New York if it didn't ratify the Constitution. At the same time, he accepted the conciliatory path suggested by Massachusetts, agreeing to amendments after ratification.
The Federalists also used George Washington's letter of transmittal to the Confederation Congress to garner support for the proposed government. Washington, as president of the Constitutional Convention, wrote:
> "The constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity... that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness."
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The struggle for a Bill of Rights
On the other hand, the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, the only New York member of the Constitutional Convention to have signed the Constitution, held a contrasting view. They believed that individual rights were already protected by state and common law. However, to ensure ratification and address the concerns of the Anti-Federalists, they agreed to introduce a series of amendments protecting individual rights at the first Congress under the new Constitution.
The Federalist Herald, published by Claxton and Babcock, played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion. Its editorial distribution of the Constitution was aimed at enlightening the "honest, uninformed (or rather misinformed) peasantry" and shifting their sentiments towards supporting the Constitution. The Federalists, recognizing the importance of consensus, worked diligently to create a sense of agreement around the "American union" and the Constitution.
The ratification process in New York was a lengthy and complex affair, with the state's convention meeting in mid-June 1788. The Anti-Federalists, despite their ardent opposition, eventually faded as a coherent political group during the 1790s. Their ideas, however, were not forgotten, as they were absorbed into a broader "loyal opposition." This group chose to work within the new Constitutional system, aiming to define its boundaries rather than overthrow it.
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The 1867-68 proposed Constitution
The State of New York has held nine Constitutional Conventions, one of which took place between 1867 and 1868. This convention was the first to result from a provision in the third constitution, which required that the electorate be polled every twenty years regarding the need for a convention to revise and amend the constitution.
The convention focused heavily on alterations to the judicial system, and related amendments were submitted independently to voters and approved in 1869. However, the proposed constitution was rejected by voters, along with a separate African American suffrage amendment.
The convention was held in Albany, New York, beginning on June 4, 1867. The delegates were elected on April 23, 1867, and the convention had a small Republican majority. It adjourned on September 23, reconvened on November 12, and adjourned again in February 1868. After this, the draft was discussed in the New York State Legislature for another year and a half.
The Republican Party advocated for the adoption of the new proposed Constitution of 1867-68, while the Democrats advocated for its rejection. Ultimately, it was rejected by voters in the New York state election of 1869, with 223,935 votes for and 290,456 against it.
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The 1869 vote
The new Constitution aimed to establish the rights and personal freedoms of the people of New York, as well as outline the responsibilities and limitations of the government. Some of the provisions included freedom of speech, trial by jury, freedom of worship, habeas corpus, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
However, when the new Constitution was put to a vote in the 1869 New York state election, it was rejected by the voters. The final vote count was 223,935 in favour and 290,456 against the new Constitution. The Democrats, who had a majority in the state by 1869, advocated for the rejection of the proposed Constitution.
The only article that was adopted from the new Constitution was the "Judicial Article," which reorganised the New York Court of Appeals. This article passed by a slim margin, with 247,240 votes for and 240,442 against.
It is worth noting that the pursuit of equal voting rights in New York and the United States had been an ongoing process. At the time, voting requirements often restricted voting rights to white male property owners or taxpayers. The 1869 vote occurred during a period of expanding voting rights, and it would be another year until the Fifteenth Amendment granted all American men the right to vote regardless of "race, colour, or previous condition of servitude."
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Frequently asked questions
New York ratified the US Constitution in 1788. The state's ratification process was marked by a struggle between the Anti-Federalist contingent, led by Governor George Clinton, and the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, the only New York member of the Constitutional Convention to have signed the Constitution.
The Anti-Federalists clamored for a Bill of Rights and fought to preserve the autonomy of the state against federal encroachments. They argued that the new and more powerful national government operating under a constitution that did not include a Bill of Rights would seriously endanger both the rights of individual citizens and the rights of the states.
The Federalists believed that individual rights were fully protected by state and common law. They contended that a stronger central government would provide a solid base from which New York could grow and prosper. To ensure ratification, they agreed to introduce a series of amendments protecting individual rights at the first Congress convened under the new Constitution.
