M^r Jennifer[80] prop^d, "every three years," observing that the too
great frequency of elections rendered the people indifferent to them,
and made the best men unwilling to engage in so precarious a service.
[80] "M^r Jenifer is a Gentleman of fortune in Maryland;--he is
always in good humour, and never fails to make his company
pleased with him. He sits silent in the Senate, and seems to
be conscious that he is no politician. From his long
continuance in single life, no doubt but he has made the vow
of celibacy. He speaks warmly of the Ladies notwithstanding.
M^r Jenifer is about 55 years of Age, and once served as Aid
de Camp to Major Gen^l Lee."--Pierce's Notes, _Am. Hist.
Rev._, iii., 330.
M^r Madison seconded the motion for three years. Instability is one of
the great vices of our republics, to be remedied. Three years will be
necessary, in a Government so extensive, for members to form any
knowledge of the various interests of the States to which they do not
belong, and of which they can know but little from the situation and
affairs of their own. One year will be almost consumed in preparing for
and travelling to & from the seat of national business.
M^r Gerry. The people of New England will never give up the point of
annual elections, they know of the transition made in England from
triennial to septennial elections, and will consider such an innovation
here as the prelude to a like usurpation. He considered annual elections
as the only defence of the people ag^{st} tyranny. He was as much
ag^{st} a triennial House as ag^{st} a hereditary Executive.
M^r Madison, observed that if the opinions of the people were to be our
guide, it w^d be difficult to say what course we ought to take. No
member of the Convention could say what the opinions of his Constituents
were at this time; much less could he say what they would think if
possessed of the information & lights possessed by the members here; &
still less what would be their way of thinking 6 or 12 months hence. We
ought to consider what was right & necessary in itself for the
attainment of a proper Governm^t. A plan adjusted to this idea will
recommend itself--The respectability of this convention will give weight
to their recommendation of it. Experience will be constantly urging the
adoption of it, and all the most enlightened & respectable citizens will
be its advocates. Should we fall short of the necessary & proper point,
this influential class of Citizens, will be turned against the plan, and
little support in opposition to them can be gained to it from the
unreflecting multitude.
M^r Gerry repeated his opinion that it was necessary to consider what
the people would approve. This had been the policy of all Legislators.
If the reasoning of Mr. Madison were just, and we supposed a limited
Monarchy the best form in itself, we ought to recommend it, tho' the
genius of the people was decidedly adverse to it, and having no
hereditary distinctions among us, we were destitute of the essential
materials for such an innovation.