TDIH: S.C. ratifies the Constitution
Perhaps the most notable portion of that convention was a rousing speech by Charles Pinckney, who had also served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
On this day in 1788, South Carolina becomes the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
Perhaps the most notable portion of that convention was a rousing speech by Charles Pinckney, who had also served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Pinckney spoke of the fact that the states were given ample power to keep the federal government in line.
If only the states would remember that today?
![Portrait of Pinckney with his quote: "[On the states] rests the general fabric: on their foundation is this magnificent structure of freedom erected, each depending upon, supporting, and protecting the other." -- South Carolina State Ratifying Convention, May 14, 1788](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3781490a-abee-458f-9bfa-dbede9ed0120_1428x1422.jpeg "Portrait of Pinckney with his quote: \"[On the states] rests the general fabric: on their foundation is this magnificent structure of freedom erected, each depending upon, supporting, and protecting the other.\" -- South Carolina State Ratifying Convention, May 14, 1788")
Pinckney concluded: “[On the states] rests the general fabric: on their foundation is this magnificent structure of freedom erected, each depending upon, supporting, and protecting the other: nor—so intimate is the connection—can the one be removed without prostrating the other in ruin: like the head and the body, separate them and they die.”
What would he make of the manner in which states too often defer to the federal government today? Food for thought for your Tuesday. :)
Dear regular readers: Full-fledged history stories return tomorrow!
They would most definitely be horrified and angry. I don’t think they would just sit by and let it happen. We have strayed too far from this important tenet. I hope we are not at the point of no return. How sad if we were to lose our free Republic the United States of America because we lost sight of the original intent of the foundation of this nation and appreciation for it. Terrible that a few tyrants can be successful at deceiving so many. It’s vital we return to the principles that made America great for so long. Hopefully it’s not too late.
With the passage of the 17th amendment federalism took a huge hit. States were no longer represented in the Senate like they were before. I believe this was the beginning of the end of federalism as was envisioned by the founders.