Republican Democracy

During the last week of the Convention, Alexander Hamilton proposed a process for ratifying the new Constitution. Madison’s (1987, 613) Notes show that on Monday, September 10, 1787, Hamilton proposed that:His proposal was seconded by Massachusetts delegate Elbridge Gerry after which a debate on the proposal commenced. Among the concerns expressed was the fact that seeking approval from Congress and the state legislatures might be risky because if some or all the members did not approve then it might never be submitted to the states. As George Clymer of Pennsylvania stated, and Mr. King concurred: