THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION -OF 1788. "I hope the patriotism of the people will continue, and be a sufficient guard to their liberties." HON. GEORGE MASON IN THE CONVENTION. Suspicion is a virtue, as long as its object is the preservation of the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel." HON. PATRICK HENRY IN THE CONVENTION. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION -OF 1788. This was the next of the great Constitutional Conventions held in the State, and was one of vast importance and interest. While it did not deal directly with the organic law and affairs of the Commonwealth, its acts and results affected most intimately that organic law and those affairs. This assemblage of distinguished men was so brilliant, and the effects of their proceedings and actions were so far-extending and permanent, that we cannot disregard its existence and history. While it was called "for the purpose of deliberating on the Constitution recommended by the Grand Federal Convention," which was held at Philadelphia, May 2, 1787; yet its deliberations and debates are of great importance, and are exhaustive and masterful discussions of the fundamentals of government and Constitutional law, and have evoked wide attention and interest. Immediately after the Revolution, the inefficacy of the Confederation, and the necessity for a more efficient government for the United States, were universally recognized. This necessity induced the States composing the Confederation, except Rhode Island, to delegate some of their most distinguished citizens, statesmen, and orators to this Federal Convention, in order to remove the evils of the existing system. An Act was passed, October, 1786, by the General Assembly of Virginia, by ballot of both Houses, appointing seven commissioners from the State, who, or three of them, were authorized to represent the Commonwealth, as deputies in the Convention of Deputies from the States, held in Philadelphia, May 2, 1787. (See 12 Hening's Statutes at Large, p. 256.) This Convention met, May 2, 1787, and decided that the Articles of Confederation were wholly ineffectual and defective, proceeded to frame a Constitution for the United States, which was reported to Congress, and by their act, September 28, 1787, submitted to the several States for ratification. This ratification was accomplished by submission of the new Constitution to State Conventions, which were constituted by the election of delegates by the people, in each State to the Convention of the State, provided for by the Legislatures of the States. The General Assembly of the State passed a resolution, October 25, 1787, submitting the proceedings of the Federal Convention to a Convention of |