Omar Bennett
George Mason (1725-1792) was an American planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution. Mason's Objections to the Constitution of Government formed by the Convention, first composed in late September 1787, outlines his concerns about the Federal Constitution. One of his main objections was the lack of a Bill of Rights, which he believed was necessary to protect U.S. citizens' rights and liberties. Mason also had issues with the structure of the government, the powers of the Senate, the office of the vice president, and the regulation of commerce and navigation. His objections were widely circulated and influenced American political thought and events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| No Bill of Rights | --- |
| No Declaration of Rights | --- |
| No Constitutional Council for the President | --- |
| Senate has too much power | --- |
| No liberty of the press | --- |
| No trial by jury in civil cases | --- |
| No concern for standing armies in peacetime | --- |
| Southern states will be ruined by commercial and navigation laws | --- |
| Congress may grant monopolies in trade and commerce | --- |
| General and State legislatures prohibited from making ex post facto laws | --- |
| Government will set out a moderate aristocracy | --- |
| General legislature restrained from prohibiting the importation of slaves | --- |
| House of Representatives lacks substance | --- |
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What You'll Learn
No Bill of Rights
George Mason was one of the three delegates who refused to sign the US Constitution in 1787. He was a Founding Father and a delegate to the US Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. His writings, including substantial portions of the Fairfax Resolves of 1774, the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, and his Objections to this Constitution of Government (1787) opposing ratification, have influenced American political thought and events.
George Mason's primary objection to the US Constitution was the absence of a Bill of Rights. He believed that the Constitution did not adequately protect US citizens without a Bill of Rights. He argued that there was "no Declaration of Rights," and that the laws of the general government took precedence over the laws and constitutions of the individual states. He felt that the Declarations of Rights in the separate states were insufficient to protect the people's rights and freedoms.
Mason also had concerns about the structure and powers of the government under the Constitution. He objected to the power of the Senate, particularly in the appointment of public officers and its influence on the executive branch. He warned that the President, lacking a Constitutional Council, would be vulnerable to the influence of favourites or become a tool of the Senate. He also criticised the House of Representatives, arguing that it lacked true representation and would result in laws being made by individuals unfamiliar with their effects and consequences.
Furthermore, Mason was concerned about the absence of certain specific rights and freedoms in the Constitution. He pointed out that there was no guarantee of liberty of the press or trial by jury in civil cases. He also objected to the restraint on the general legislature from prohibiting the importation of slaves for an extended period, arguing that this rendered the United States weaker and less capable of defence.
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No Constitutional Council for the President
George Mason was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution in 1787. He was a Founding Father and a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was also the primary author of the Virginia Constitution, which served as a model for the official U.S. Constitution.
One of Mason's objections to the Constitution was that the President of the United States had no Constitutional Council. He argued that this was a defect that would lead to the improper powers of the Senate and the unnecessary office of the Vice-President. He believed that the absence of a Constitutional Council would result in one of two outcomes: the President would either be influenced by a small group of favourites or become a tool of the Senate.
Mason argued that without a Constitutional Council, the President would lack the proper information and advice necessary to govern effectively. He warned that this could result in the emergence of a Council of State composed of the principal officers of the great departments, which he considered the "worst and most dangerous" option for a free country.
Mason's concern regarding the President's lack of a Constitutional Council was rooted in his belief that it would lead to an improper power dynamic between the executive and legislative branches. He feared that the Vice-President, as the president of the Senate, would blend executive and legislative powers, blurring the lines between the two branches and threatening the separation of powers.
In conclusion, George Mason's objection to the absence of a Constitutional Council for the President highlighted his commitment to democratic ideals and his foresight in anticipating potential power imbalances within the U.S. government. His objection underscores the importance he placed on checks and balances and the need for a well-informed and advised executive branch.
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Unfair majority requirements for commercial laws
George Mason was an American planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution, citing several objections. One of his primary concerns was the majority requirement for commercial and navigation laws, which he believed unfairly disadvantaged the Southern States.
In his "Objections to the Constitution of Government formed by the Convention," Mason argued that requiring only a majority to make commercial and navigation laws would negatively impact the five Southern States, whose economic interests differed significantly from those of the eight Northern and Eastern States. He warned that this majority requirement could lead to the enactment of rigid and premature regulations that would empower merchants from the Northern and Eastern States to demand excessive freight charges and monopolize the purchase of commodities at unfair prices. This, he argued, would result in the impoverishment of the people in the Southern States, with the gain on one side being proportional to the loss on the other.
Mason believed that requiring a supermajority, specifically two-thirds of the members present in both Houses, would have been a more equitable solution. This higher threshold would promote mutual moderation and the general interest while removing a significant obstacle to the adoption of the government. He feared that the Northern and Eastern States, through their majority, could grant monopolies in trade and commerce, further exacerbating the economic disparities.
Mason's objection to the majority requirement for commercial laws stemmed from his broader concern for the protection of individual rights and his belief in democratic ideals. He felt that the Constitution, as drafted, did not adequately safeguard the rights of citizens without a Bill of Rights. This objection, along with others he raised, contributed to his decision not to sign the Constitution and instead circulate his objections, which became known as George Mason's "Objections to the Constitution."
Mason's "Objections to the Constitution" had a significant impact on American political thought and events. They influenced the eventual inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the Constitution and shaped the foundation of American liberty and democracy.
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No protection for freedom of the press
George Mason was one of the three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution in 1787. He was a strong advocate for a Bill of Rights and believed that the Constitution did not adequately protect US citizens without it. He wrote and circulated a document titled "Objections to this Constitution of Government", which outlined his concerns about the Federal Constitution.
One of Mason's primary objections was the lack of protection for freedom of the press. He believed that the freedom of the press was a fundamental right that needed to be explicitly guaranteed in the Constitution. Without such a provision, Mason feared that the press could be censored or restricted by the government, hindering the ability of journalists to hold those in power to account and limiting the access of citizens to information.
Mason's objection reflects his deep commitment to democratic ideals and his belief in the importance of an informed citizenry. He understood that a free press plays a crucial role in upholding other liberties by serving as a watchdog against government overreach and corruption. By shining a light on the activities of those in power, the press helps to ensure transparency and accountability, thereby strengthening the fabric of democracy.
Furthermore, Mason's objection underscores his concern for the rights and well-being of ordinary citizens. A free press empowers individuals by providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their lives and their participation in civic affairs. It also serves as a platform for a diversity of voices and perspectives, fostering robust public debate and enabling citizens to challenge or question the actions and decisions of their leaders.
In conclusion, George Mason's objection regarding the lack of protection for freedom of the press in the Constitution highlights his unwavering commitment to democratic principles and his belief in the intrinsic value of a well-informed citizenry. His advocacy for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights, which would safeguard fundamental liberties like freedom of the press, was a pivotal moment in the development of American political thought and the protection of individual freedoms.
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No protection against standing armies in peacetime
One of the primary objections George Mason had to the Constitution was its lack of adequate safeguards against the maintenance of standing armies during peacetime. Mason was concerned that without explicit restrictions, the national government would have the power to keep a permanent military force, which could be used to oppress the people and infringe upon their liberties.
Mason's fears regarding standing armies were
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Frequently asked questions
George Mason's primary objection to the US Constitution was that it did not include a Bill of Rights.
George Mason had several other objections to the US Constitution, including:
- The President of the United States has no Constitutional Council, which could lead to improper powers of the Senate and the unnecessary office of the Vice President.
- The general legislature and the State legislature are prohibited from making ex post facto laws, which may be necessary for public safety.
- The general legislature is restrained from prohibiting the importation of slaves for several years, which could make the United States weaker and less capable of defence.
- There is no substance to the representation in the House of Representatives, which will result in laws being made by people who are unconcerned with their effects.
Yes, George Mason was one of three delegates who refused to sign the US Constitution due to his objections.
Yes, George Mason wrote down his objections to the US Constitution in a document called "Objections to the Constitution of Government formed by the Convention". He shared this document with several associates, but did not intend for it to be published. However, it was obtained by a Philadelphia printer and issued without his consent.
