Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution is a foundational document that has secured the rights of the American people for over two and a half centuries. The 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention are referred to as framers, and of these, 39 signed the Constitution. The framers were political leaders who participated in the American Revolution and had extensive political experience. The National Archives has identified three founding documents as the Charters of Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The process of drafting the Constitution was not without controversy, and some framers chose not to sign the document due to a variety of reasons, including disagreement with its content, a lack of transparency in the process, and personal reasons.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry and George Mason chose not to sign
- Randolph, Gerry and Mason were vocal against signing
- Some framers had reservations but still signed
- Benjamin Franklin summed up the sentiments of those with reservations
- The Federal Farmer was an Anti-Federalist who wrote against the Constitution
Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry and George Mason chose not to sign
Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry, and George Mason were among the framers of the United States Constitution who chose not to sign the document. All three men had different reasons for their decision.
Edmund Jennings Randolph, a Founding Father of the United States, attorney, and the seventh Governor of Virginia, played a significant role in drafting the original constitution. He was a delegate from Virginia and served on the Committee of Detail, which was responsible for converting the Virginia Plan's 15 resolutions into a first draft of the Constitution. Randolph proposed the establishment of a national judiciary, which was eventually incorporated into Article III of the Constitution. However, he refused to sign the final document because he wanted increased protections for individuals and disagreed with some of the revisions made to the original Virginia Plan. Randolph believed that it would be easier to amend the Constitution before its ratification than to ratify an imperfect document and then assemble the votes required to make changes. Ultimately, he voted for ratification because he did not want Virginia to be left out of the new national government.
Elbridge Gerry, another Founding Father, is less well-known today despite his significant contributions. He shared the view that the Constitution was not perfect and needed to be carefully nurtured and watched. Gerry served in the colonial and revolutionary legislatures and the Continental Congress during the American War for Independence, where he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. He was also a mentor to Samuel Adams. During his second term as Governor of Massachusetts, Gerry approved a controversial redistricting plan that benefited the Republican Party, leading to the term "gerrymander."
George Mason, a Virginian, was the primary author of the Virginia Constitution, which served as a model for many other state constitutions and the official U.S. Constitution. He established important principles of U.S. government, such as separation of powers. Mason's objections to the Constitution centred on the lack of a Bill of Rights, which he believed was necessary to adequately protect U.S. citizens. He transcribed and circulated his "Objections to the Constitution," which laid the groundwork for the Bill of Rights that followed soon after.
The Mystery of Hugh Williamson's Signature on the Constitution
You may want to see also
Randolph, Gerry and Mason were vocal against signing
Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry, and George Mason were vocal in their opposition to signing the US Constitution. All three men had been heavily involved in the political life of the colonies in the years leading up to the American Revolution, and all three were influential in shaping the country's future.
Randolph, for instance, was the Attorney General of Virginia and later served as the state's Governor. He was also the first US Attorney General under President Washington. Randolph's main objection to the Constitution was that it did not include a Bill of Rights. He felt so strongly about this that he declined to sign the document, despite being a member of the committee that drafted it.
Gerry, meanwhile, was born into a wealthy family in Marblehead, Massachusetts, in 1744. He served in the colonial and Revolutionary legislatures and in the Continental Congress during the American War for Independence. He, too, signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Gerry believed the Constitution contained too many provisions inconsistent with republican principles and did not adequately protect the rights of citizens or the sovereignty of the states. He was reluctant to take an extreme stand against ratification, however, for fear of creating conditions that might lead to social instability or even civil war.
Mason, like Randolph, was from Virginia and was the primary author of the Virginia Constitution, which served as a model for many other state constitutions as well as the official US Constitution. He was also influential in shaping other important American documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Fairfax Resolves, and the Bill of Rights. Mason's main objection to the Constitution was the same as Randolph's: he felt it did not adequately protect US citizens without a Bill of Rights. During the last days of the Constitutional Convention, he wrote down his reasons for not signing, in a document that became known as "George Mason's Objections to the Constitution".
Did Gunning Bedford Jr. Sign the US Constitution?
You may want to see also
Some framers had reservations but still signed
The United States Constitution was not signed into effect. Instead, as outlined in Article VII, the states had to ratify it, and nine of the 13 states had to approve it for it to become law. Seventy-four individuals were selected to attend the Constitutional Convention, but a number of them did not attend, and of those who did, not all chose to sign.
Some of the framers who chose not to sign the Constitution were Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry. They had strong objections to certain provisions and believed that the document could be improved. Randolph, for example, stated that his refusal to sign was "dictated by my conscience, and it is not possible for me to hesitate, much less, to change."
However, it is important to note that some framers had reservations about the Constitution but still chose to sign it. Benjamin Franklin, one of the most prominent figures among the framers, summed up the sentiments of those with doubts: "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them." He accepted the Constitution because he "expected no better" and believed it might be "the best" option.
John Dickinson, another framer, was unable to sign due to illness but authorised George Read to sign on his behalf, indicating his support for the document despite any potential reservations.
The process of drafting and signing the Constitution involved debate, compromise, and a recognition of the need for a stronger, yet limited, federal government. The framers who signed the document, despite their reservations, understood the importance of unity and the need for a framework that could be built upon and improved over time. Their willingness to set aside their differences and endorse the Constitution laid the foundation for the United States' political system and democratic values.
The Missing Signatures on the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Benjamin Franklin summed up the sentiments of those with reservations
Benjamin Franklin, one of the framers of the US Constitution, summed up the sentiments of those with reservations about the Constitution. He acknowledged that while there were aspects of the Constitution that he did not agree with at the time, he was open to the possibility of changing his mind in the future. He stated, "There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them." He further explained that his life experiences had taught him that it was often necessary to revise his opinions as he acquired new information or considered things more thoroughly.
Franklin's perspective reflected the sentiments of those who chose not to sign the Constitution, such as Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry. These individuals had strong reservations about certain provisions within the document. For example, Randolph declared that his refusal to sign was dictated by his conscience, indicating a deep conflict between his beliefs and the content of the Constitution. Similarly, Gerry highlighted his belief in the existence of two opposing views—one that favoured democracy and the other that veered towards the opposite extreme.
Despite their reluctance to sign, these individuals did not necessarily abandon or ignore the Constitution. Instead, many of them actively advocated for a Bill of Rights, seeking to strengthen the protection and power of the people. They recognised the importance of a general government but wanted to ensure that it upheld the rights and liberties of its citizens. Franklin, in his address to the members, cautioned about the challenges of assembling a group of individuals with diverse prejudices, passions, and interests, and the potential influence of these factors on decision-making.
Franklin's famous quote, "It's a republic, if you can keep it," underscores the delicate balance between majority rule and the protection of individual rights. He warned that human greed could gain access to public resources, power, and influence, leading to a widening gulf between the rich and the poor. This, he argued, posed a serious threat to the pursuit of happiness for all citizens. Franklin's words serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to maintain a stable and just democratic republic.
Muslims and the US Constitution: A Founding Signature?
You may want to see also
The Federal Farmer was an Anti-Federalist who wrote against the Constitution
The United States Constitution was not signed into effect. Instead, it was ratified by the states, with nine of the 13 states needing to ratify it for it to become law. Of the 74 delegates who were chosen to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 attended and 39 signed. The Federal Farmer was an Anti-Federalist who wrote against the Constitution. The Federal Farmer was a pseudonym used by an author whose identity remains unknown. The possible authors include Richard Henry Lee, Melancton Smith, and Robert Yates. The Federal Farmer's writings took the form of two pamphlets, published in November and December 1787, and addressed to "The Republican", who was most likely New York state governor George Clinton. The writings made typical Anti-Federalist arguments, claiming that the Constitution would end the federal system and consolidate power in a national government, which would be destructive of American liberties. Anti-Federalists, in general, were in favor of strong state governments, a weak central government, and the direct election of government officials. They also wanted short term limits for officeholders, accountability by officeholders to popular majorities, and the strengthening of individual liberties. They were also pro-French in foreign affairs.
The Signing of the Constitution: How Many Delegates?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Edmund Randolph, George Mason, and Elbridge Gerry were the most vocal opponents of the US Constitution and refused to sign it.
Yes, of the 74 delegates chosen, only 55 attended and 39 signed the US Constitution.
The US Constitution was not signed into effect. Instead, it had to be ratified by nine of the 13 states to become the law of the land.
