Reply To: Jefferson Quote Used In Pro-Gun Control Argument?

#20972
gutzmank
Participant

Jefferson adamantly opposed altering the Constitution by “construction.” It was the Virginia Constitution, not the US one, that he advocated amending extensively.

In addition to Dr. McClanahan’s points, let me add that in the Virginia Ratification Convention, the third most active Federalist orator, George Nicholas, said that if the Federal Government abused the powers it was being granted, Virginia could reclaim them. We call that secession. This was the last major speech before the final vote. Imagine it something like this:

Nicholas — We can always secede.
Call the roll!
The Constitution is narrowly approved, 88-80.