FORMATION OF THE UNION.
A. D. 1787 TO 1790.
1. The new State of North Carolina now became divided and excited
as to her position in the confederation of States. Each day was
demonstrating more clearly the failure of the confederation. Its
poverty and weakness were exciting the contempt of all civilized
nations, and the General Congress amounted to little more than an
arena for the display of jealousy and selfishness on the part of
the individual States.
2. In North Carolina, as elsewhere, the people were divided as to
what should be done to remedy this great need of a central and
general government. Many were opposed to any change. Others
were for creating a strong and overpowering central government
that should overawe and control all of the States. These latter
men were called the "Federalists."
3. Another, and a larger portion of the people of the State, were
in favor of adding to the powers of the general government; but
at the same time for going no further in that direction than was
necessary for the general safety as against foreign nations, and
for the execution of such regulations as pertained to all the
States. These "Republicans," or "Democrats," were willing to
empower the new government to carry the mails, control commerce,
carry on war, make treaties, and coin money; but they insisted
that all other powers should be retained by the States
themselves.
4. In 1787, in consequence of the action of the General Congress,
a convention of all the States was ordered to meet in
Philadelphia to prepare a new Constitution.
5. The Legislature of North Carolina selected Governor Richard
Caswell, Colonel W. R. Davie, ex-Governor Alexander Martin,
Willie Jones and Richard Dobbs Spaight as delegates to that body.
Governor Caswell and Willie Jones declined the honor, and Dr.
Hugh Williamson and William Mount were appointed in their places.
1788.
6. General Washington was chosen as President of the Convention,
and in 1788 the result of their deliberations was submitted for
the ratification of the several States. It was provided by the
Convention framing the Constitution that nine States should
ratify the new Constitution before it should go into operation,
and that it should then be binding only upon those thus acceding
to it.
7. A Convention for North Carolina was called and met at
Hillsboro, July 21st, 1788, to consider the proposed
Constitution. Samuel Johnston, who had been Moderator of several
Provincial Congresses, and who had also succeeded Governor
Caswell as Chief-Magistrate of the State, was chosen to preside.
He and Judge James Iredell, Colonel Davie and Archibald Maclaine
were earnest advocates of instant and unconditional ratification
on the part of North Carolina.
8. Willie Jones, of Halifax, who had so long controlled much of
the legislation and government of the State, was the leader of
those who opposed such action. They favored the addition of
numerous amendments before committing the fortunes of North
Carolina to such control. They insisted that without further
specification, the powers reserved to the several States would
not be sufficiently guarded; and the Convention, by a great
majority, took the same view of the matter. The result was that
while declining to ratify absolutely the Constitution as it then
stood, the hope was held out that upon the adoption of proper
amendments it would be ratified.
9. There was great excitement in the State upon North Carolina's
thus failing to join the new government. Political animosities
ran high, and renewed efforts were made to overcome the popular
objections. The people became restless at the position they were
occupying, being thus, with New York and Rhode Island, strangers
to the great compact of their sister States.
1789.
10. The new government of the United States went into operation
in the Spring of 1789, and General Washington took the oaths of
office on March 4th as the first President of the Republic. In
November the Legislature and a new Convention both met at
Fayetteville, and on the 21st the Constitution of the United
States was speedily ratified, and North Carolina was enrolled as
a member of the new confederacy, which was to astonish all
nations by the vigor of its rule and the splendor and rapidity of
its growth as a nation. Before this, however, the first ten
amendments to the Constitution had been proposed to the
Legislatures of the several States for ratification, thereby
allaying the apprehensions that had been felt at Hillsboro the
year before.
1790.
11. Two important matters were also settled at this period. The
Convention at Hillsboro limited the seat of the State government
to some point in Wake county. The capital had been migrating
from town to town for nearly the whole period of North Carolina's
existence. The Legislature also passed a bill creating the
University of North Carolina, and the terms of the Halifax
Constitution, as to popular education, were thus first put into
some shape of accomplishment. Both of these measures were highly
needed.
[NOTE--The State Convention of 1788 was commissioned to select a
place for the seat of government, which had been migratory since
the earliest days of the Carolina colony. The place selected for
the capital was the farm of Isaac Hunter, at Wake Court House, or
some other place within ten miles of that locality, to be
determined by the General Assembly.]
QUESTIONS.
1. What question was exciting the people of North Carolina at
this period? What was thought of the Confederation?
2. How were the people of the State divided upon this great
question?
3. What other party was formed? What were they called, and what
powers did they propose to give to the general government?
4. What convention was to meet in 1787?
5. Who were chosen to represent North Carolina in that body?
6. Who was chosen President of the Convention? How was the new
Constitution to be submitted to the people?
7. What convention met in Hillsboro in 1788? How did some of the
prominent members view the question?
8. What different opinion was held by other leading men? What
did the Convention do with the Constitution?
9. What was the effect on the State? What other States also
failed to ratify?
10. When did the new government go into operation? Who was
chosen first President of the United States? When and where did
North Carolina ratify the Constitution and become a member of the
united government?
11. What two important matters were settled at this period?