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Subject Area: Economics
Subject Area: Political Theory

GALLATIN TO CHARLES BROWN. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 2 [1879]

Edition used:

The Writings of Albert Gallatin, ed. Henry Adams (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1879). 3 vols.

Part of: The Writings of Albert Gallatin, 3 vols.

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GALLATIN TO CHARLES BROWN.

New York, March 1, 1838.

Dear Sir,—

I felt much gratified by the evidence of kind recollection evinced by the resolution of the convention of Pennsylvania, of which you sent me a copy, and for which I perceive that I was principally indebted to you.

The convention of 1789 was the first public body to which I was elected, and I took but a subordinate share in its debates. It was one of the ablest bodies of which I was a member, or with which I was acquainted. Indeed, could I except two names,—Madison and Marshall,—I would say that it embraced as much talent and knowledge as any Congress from 1795 to 1812, beyond which my personal knowledge does not extend. But the distinguishing feature of the convention was that, owing perhaps to more favorable times, it was less affected by party feelings than any other public body that I have known. The points of difference were almost exclusively on general and abstract propositions; there was less prejudice and more sincerity in the discussions than usual; and, throughout, a desire to conciliate opposite opinions by mutual concessions. The consequence was that, though not formally submitted to the ratification of the people, no public act was ever more universally approved than the constitution of Pennsylvania at the time when it was promulgated.

Tested by experience, its defects must have been discovered. Changes have taken place, more perhaps in public opinion than in the state of the country, but not the less entitled to consideration and deference. It may be a matter of doubt whether more is not lost by any change in a constitution which works well and for which there is an habitual respect than is gained by presumed improvements not essentially necessary or imperiously called by the voice of the people. I am not acquainted with the alterations which have been adopted by the convention. I hope that they will prove acceptable, and pray that Pennsylvania may, under the new or modified constitution, continue to prosper, and to be, as heretofore, a model in many respects for other States and other nations. It is indeed a just subject of pride that whilst yet a colony Pennsylvania was the first country that gave the example of a legal and practical universal liberty of conscience; that as one of the United States she was the first to abolish slavery; the first, if I am not mistaken, in commencing internal improvements; the first to reform her penal code and to substitute that system since adopted by the other members of the Union, and which attracts the attention of the most civilized foreign nations.