Rhode Island refused to send any delegates to the Convention. It was the only state that did not, therefore, sign the Constitution. Twelve states did sign, despite the refusals of individual delegates. Later, a Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution.
Delegate Luther Martin of Maryland did not sign because he believed the Constitution did not sufficiently protect states's right. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts did not sign because the document lacked a Bill of Rights. Caleb Strong, also of Massachusetts, did not sign because he did not approve of the electoral college as the way to elect the president.
John Lansing and Robert Yates of New York also wanted stronger state's rights. Many Virginia delegates opposed the Constitution. Their reasons included lack of state's rights, lack of a Bill of Rights, and, in the case of delegate Edmund Randolph, believing it had an insufficient number of checks and balances.
No comments:
Post a Comment