Worksheet # 49 Home Questions Puzzle Links Next

RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

And in late September 1787,

The delegates concluded their historic convention.

With the close of day and their discussions all done,

To sign their handiwork, they approached one by one.

But ‘twas hardly an end, and only barely a start,

Since to adopt this new plan the states played a part:

An agreement of nine would get the ball rolling,

So our leaders went home to do some cajoling.

Where strong voices were raised and did praise in the press

All of the reasons they’d have lasting success.

Misters Hamilton and Madison, as well as John Jay,

Wrote The Federalist Papers to their countrymen sway:

That the states more united and under one power

Was the path of prosperity to be trod in this hour.

-- But still others were wary of the entire affair,

Fearing strong government does soon grow unfair.

Patrick Henry rose up, with his most fiery tongue,

To condemn the new tune as the same ratty old song:

To submit to one Head, though you don’t call it King,

Is flirting with tyranny and its same horrid sting!

The Anti-Federalists, as this group was known,

Sought so fiercely to guard their hard-won freedom.

So while Federalists argued each point in favor,

These critics shot back with great keenness and fervor.

And the good folks in the states were closely divided,

With some “nay” and some “yea” and some undecided.

In the end, as you know, enough states did approve

And the country re-formed and did set on the move.

But the drama played on: Would the Antis rebel?

Their passions ran high and seemed too hot to quell.

-- ‘Til Patrick Henry himself said he would not raise a gun,

But fight on as a citizen,. . .a peaceable one.