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“In a surly
mood, Antifederalists took no part in the parade their opponents hurriedly
assembled to celebrate their triumph, for the last thing in their minds was
acceptance of ratification with good grace.
While the cheers still rang in the streets, bitter Antifederalists
held a rump session, drafted a bill of exceptions, and sent it to the
newspaper. Titled “The Address and
Reasons of Dissent of the Minority of the Convention of the State of
Pennsylvania to their Constituents,” the report was replete with sarcasm and
dire predictions. It asserted that the
46 ratification votes came from men elected by only 6,800 voters out of
70,000 eligible citizens. …
Antifederalists doubtlessly intended to broadcast copies of the
“Address” in an attempt to cause grave concern about ratification news, but
this hope was somewhat thwarted by the temporary breakdown of public mail
service. Federalist Boston knew in a
few days that Pennsylvania had ratified, but it was months before the
“Address” found its way to the slopes of Beacon Hill.”
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