Simone Lawson
Gouverneur Morris, a Founding Father of the United States, was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, which was responsible for drafting the final language of the proposed constitution. Morris is credited with writing the Preamble to the United States Constitution, including the famous phrase We the People of the United States, and was instrumental in creating the structure and language of the Constitution, earning him the nickname Penman of the Constitution. Morris also advocated for a strong central government, a powerful and independent presidency, and the protection of religious liberty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language and structure of the Constitution | "We, the People of the United States" |
| Strong central government | Life tenure for the president, presidential appointment of senators |
| Opposition to slavery | "I never will concur in upholding domestic slavery." |
| Opposition to popular sovereignty | "The Busy haunts of men not the remote wilderness, was the proper School of political Talents." |
| Religious liberty | "Every man's right to his own religion" |
| Opposition to oligarchy | "The only way to prevent the wealthy from forming an oligarchy was to put them in the Senate, balanced against the House." |
Explore related products
$49.99 $54.99
What You'll Learn
Morris was an outspoken critic of slavery
Gouverneur Morris was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. He was one of the most outspoken critics of slavery among those present at the Constitutional Congress.
Morris was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he was a strong voice against slavery. According to James Madison's notes from the Convention, Morris stated on 8 August 1787 that it was incongruous to consider a slave both a man and property simultaneously. He declared that he would never concur in upholding domestic slavery, deeming it a nefarious institution and a curse of heaven on the states where it prevailed.
Morris argued that the formula for representation should be consistent with taxation. He asserted that if southern states were permitted to include slaves in their representation, they should also be counted towards their taxes owed to the national government. He famously questioned the hypocrisy of the Three-Fifths Compromise, challenging the notion of counting slaves for representation: "Are they men? Then make them citizens, and let them vote. Are they property? Why, then, is no other property included?".
Morris's stance on slavery was influenced by his belief that it would predominate in new Western states. He feared that the power of the slaveholding states would increase if the West gained more influence. This strategic move to limit the future power of the West was interpreted by Jon Elster as an attempt to curb the authority of slaveholding states.
Morris's criticism of slavery extended beyond the Convention. After serving as Minister Plenipotentiary to France and witnessing the French Revolution, he returned to the United States and was elected to the Senate in 1800. During his time in the Senate, he continued to oppose slavery and its expansionist dreams. Morris's final public act was to support the Hartford Convention during the War of 1812, advocating for secession to create a separate New York-New England Confederation.
In addition to his outspoken criticism of slavery, Gouverneur Morris played a significant role in shaping the language and structure of the Constitution, earning him the title "Penman of the Constitution". He authored the Preamble, including crafting its famous opening line, "We, the People of the United States." Morris's contributions to the Constitution extended beyond his writing skills, as he also served on two central committees: the Committee of Style and Arrangement, responsible for editing the final text, and the Committee on Postponed Parts, which addressed challenging issues like the selection of the presidency.
Napoleon's Constitution: A Significant Shift in Power Dynamics
You may want to see also
He advocated for a strong central government
Gouverneur Morris was a Founding Father of the United States and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. He is often referred to as the Penman of the Constitution, owing to his significant contributions to the language and structure of the Constitution.
Morris advocated for a strong central government, with life tenure for the president and presidential appointment of senators. He defended the need for an energetic president, arguing that they should not be limited to a single term. He believed that the president needed sufficient powers and independence to ward off legislative tyranny as the "guardian of the people". Morris also argued for popular election over congressional election for the president, stating that it would check the influence of the legislature.
Morris's belief in a strong central government was reflected in his view that the right people needed to be in the Senate, balanced against the House. He stated that the only way to prevent the wealthy from forming an oligarchy was to put them in the Senate. He did not believe that the government should be based solely on popular sovereignty and was skeptical of putting trust in common people.
Morris's ideas about a strong central government were also influenced by his regional fears. He believed that if the Western people gained power, they would ruin the Atlantic interests. This fear was related to his opposition to slavery, as he believed that slavery would predominate in the new Western states. Morris was one of the few delegates at the Philadelphia Convention who spoke openly against domestic slavery. He argued that it was incongruous to say that a slave was both a man and property at the same time.
Equality in the Constitution: A Search for the Word
You may want to see also
He contributed to the structure of the presidency
Gouverneur Morris, an American statesman, Founding Father of the United States, and signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution, played a significant role in shaping the structure of the presidency.
Morris advocated for a strong central government with an energetic and powerful president. He believed that the president should have sufficient powers and independence to counter legislative tyranny, acting as the "guardian of the people". Morris argued against limiting presidents to a single term, stating, "We must either then renounce the blessings of the Union, or provide an Executive with sufficient vigor to pervade every part of it."
Morris also proposed life tenure for the president, suggesting that it would ensure the president had the necessary vigour to execute their duties effectively. He trusted in the inherent desire for glory in human nature and believed that the constitutional system needed to channel this desire for the betterment of the nation.
Furthermore, Morris supported popular election over congressional election for the president. He argued that a popular election would help check the influence of the legislature and reduce the risk of an oligarchy forming. Morris's views on popular sovereignty were nuanced; while he distrusted putting too much trust in common people, he also believed in limiting the power of the wealthy by balancing their representation in the Senate against the House.
Morris's contributions to the structure of the presidency were shaped by his political beliefs and his desire to create a functional, democratic government. He was known for his oratorical skills and his ability to articulate his convictions, earning him the recognition of being the Penman of the Constitution.
Presidential Power: Constitutional Threat or Necessary Evolution?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He was an advocate for religious freedom
Gouverneur Morris was a Founding Father of the United States and played a significant role in shaping the language and structure of the Constitution. He was an outspoken advocate for religious freedom and believed in the importance of protecting religious liberty.
Morris's support for religious freedom was evident early in his political career. While serving in the New York Provincial Congress from 1775 to 1777, he successfully advocated for the inclusion of a provision for religious toleration in the state's first constitution. He believed that individuals should have the right to practice their chosen religion without interference and argued for the inclusion of such language in the US Constitution.
During the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Morris was a strong voice for religious freedom. He gave more speeches than any other delegate, with a total of 173. In these speeches, he often vigorously defended religious liberty and the right of individuals to practice their religion without restriction. Morris's commitment to religious freedom was rooted in his belief that it was essential for a just and inclusive society. He recognized the diversity of religious beliefs and practices in the young nation and sought to ensure that the Constitution protected the rights of all citizens to freely express their religious beliefs.
Morris's influence extended beyond his words; he also played a crucial role in drafting the final version of the Constitution as a member of the Committee of Style. He was credited with authorship of the Preamble, which sets the tone for the entire document. By changing the opening line from "We, the People of the States" to "We, the People of the United States," Morris emphasized the unity of the nation and the idea of a single union of states. This amendment reflected his belief in a strong central government and the protection of individual rights, including religious freedom.
Morris's advocacy for religious freedom continued throughout his political career. After serving in the Constitutional Convention, he went on to represent New York in the United States Senate from 1800 to 1803. During his time in the Senate, he continued to emphasize the importance of religious liberty and worked to uphold and protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Morris's legacy as an advocate for religious freedom is an important aspect of his contribution to the foundation of American democracy and the protection of individual rights.
Congress' Constitutional Powers Over War Explained
You may want to see also
He was responsible for the final wording of the Constitution
Gouverneur Morris, an American statesman, Founding Father of the United States, and signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution, played a crucial role in shaping the final wording of the Constitution. Known as the "Penman of the Constitution", Morris was instrumental in crafting the language and structure of the document.
Morris served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he was a strong advocate for a robust central government, with life tenure for the president, and the presidential appointment of senators. He was a member of the Committee of Style and Arrangement, responsible for drafting the final language of the proposed constitution. Morris's oratory skills and debating abilities were renowned, and he gave the most speeches out of any delegate, with a total of 173.
One of Morris's significant contributions to the Constitution was his authorship of the Preamble. He changed the original language of the preamble, which read ""We, the People of the States" to "We, the People of the United States," thus emphasising the idea of a single union of states. This change reflected his belief in a strong central government and his advancement of the idea of being a citizen of a union of states rather than individual states.
Morris also played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the presidency. He defended the need for an energetic and independent president, arguing against limiting presidents to a single term. He believed that the president needed sufficient powers to counter legislative tyranny and act as the "guardian of the people." Morris also advocated for popular election over congressional election for the president to check the influence of the legislature.
In addition to his contributions to the Constitution, Morris had a notable public service career. He served as Minister Plenipotentiary to France, where he criticised the French Revolution and the execution of Marie Antoinette. He later returned to the United States and was elected to the Senate, representing New York from 1800 to 1803. Morris was also involved in the construction of the Erie Canal and the creation of New York's street grid.
Senator Terms: Understanding Constitutional Limits
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Gouverneur Morris contributed to the language and structure of the Constitution. He wrote the Preamble to the United States Constitution, including the celebrated phrase "We the People of the United States". He also gave more speeches than any other delegate, a total of 173.
Gouverneur Morris was a conservative who distrusted the democratic tendencies of colonists who wanted to break with England. He believed in independence and joined the revolutionary cause. He also advocated for a strong central government, with life tenure for the president and presidential appointment of senators. He was one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery at the Constitutional Congress.
Gouverneur Morris was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a signatory to the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. He served as an assistant superintendent of finance of the United States and as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was also appointed minister to France but was recalled due to his hostility towards the French Revolution.
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
