Miracle At Philadelphia

The day after Hamilton’s speech, Madison rose and “tore the New Jersey plan to pieces” (116), pointing out how it did little to mitigate the problems affecting the Articles. A vote then found a strong preference for the Virginia Plan. The next day, the Convention removed the term “national” from the Virginia Plan and replaced it with “government of the United States” so that it acknowledged explicitly the importance of the states (118). As debate ensued, Luther Martin finally spoke, giving a long speech defending the sovereignty of the states and insisting that a federal government not interfere with their prerogatives. Stalling on major issues, the Convention turned to smaller issues like pay for representatives, but there also found little common ground. At last it succeeded in securing two-year terms for the lower legislative house, and six years for the higher (as it would be in the final text). The delegates also agreed that both houses could originate legislation, and that representatives could also hold state offices. Still, the question of representation loomed, with Martin denouncing the very idea of a bicameral legislature. He even suggested that “he would rather see partial confederations than submit to the Virginia Plan” (124).