GOV: Unit 1 Lesson 5

Gouverneur Morris, an antislavery delegate from Pennsylvania, said in a speech that slavery is “a nefarious institution—It was the curse of heaven on the States where it prevailed.” Southern delegates pointed out that the purpose of a new constitution was to forge a political union, not a moral union, among the states. Moral considerations should be left to the individual states, not to the national government.

John Rutledge (South Carolina) stated: “Religion & Humanity had nothing to do with this question. Interest alone is the governing principle with Nations.”

If they thought the previous document was not perfect and needed to be replaced, do you think they believe this document is perfect and will not need to be replaced?