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The Courage of Patrick Henry

Sixth of a Series by Bob Toerpe

The Revolutionary War had been won.  The new Constitution had been written and Virginia, the largest state, had how ratified it.  Nine states were enough to form the new government; the others were expected to follow suit.

The federalists won but the margin was thin and they feared that the more extreme anti-federalists would find other possibly illegal ways to prevent the implementation of the new Constitution.  Their fear was justified.  The malcontents called a meeting the day after their defeat and urged their hero Patrick Henry to attend and preside over the meeting.  He agreed and once again displayed the clear thinking and reasoning that was his hallmark.  

Patrick Henry knew that in the final analysis the cornerstone of a civilized society is law and order.

When he stepped to the podium to address the group he said, "I, along with many of you, fought hard in opposition to his new central government.  Our views were represented in the debate, that was the proper forum for the fight.  The question is now settled...as true patriots...we should all go home."

On March 4, 1789, the new Constitution took effect and on April 14, George Washington and John Adams were elected as the first president and vice president of the United States.  On that day they were the only two employees of the federal government which by then consisted of 11 states.  North Carolina and Rhode Island had not yet joined.

On June 8, James Madison, true to his word, introduced our Bill of Rights as the first 10 amendments of the Constitution.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to the 168 delegates who met for three hot, dusty weeks in Richmond, Virginia during June of 1788.  The contentious, but civilized debate in which they participated was the final event needed to put into place a government which has lasted for 210 years and is being emulated in many countries throughout the world.

The fact that this nation can allow its internal conflicts to be debated in its legislatures, attacked and defended in its free press and, if all else fails, resolved by its independent judiciary, has proved that the Founding Fathers "got it right."  The system has produced a nation which is both free and powerful, and allows its power to be checked by "We, the people."
 

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