The Tyranny of
the Majority
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B |
y the mid 1780s, many of
country’s most influential leaders became convinced that state legislatures had
become the greatest source of tyranny in America. In the decade after independence,
the state legislatures passed more acts than in the previous century. The
nation’s leaders were particularly distressed by the kinds of laws the
legislatures adopted: These included stay laws--postponing repayment of
debts--and paper money bills--allowing debtors to repay debts with worthless
paper currency--in violation of the rights of creditors.
Pennsylvania's government,
run by a one-house assembly, was notorious for violating individual
rights. It disfranchised and even
imprisoned Quakers (who, as pacifists, had refused to fight in the Revolution).
The legislature also arbitrarily removed judges.
Several
states established special trading relationships with European nations and
negotiated treaties with Indian nations.
Many
national leaders referred to Rhode Island as “Rogues’ island.” Its delegates
blocked nationalist measures—including a 5 percent duty on imports--in the
Confederation Congress and its legislature made it a criminal offense for
merchants to refuse to accept the state's nearly worthless currency. State
judges who struck down the law were removed from office. Nathaniel Gorham of
Massachusetts described Rhode Island's legislature as "a full
illustration...of the length to which a public body may carry wickedness and
cabal."