Why did some men refuse to sign the Constitution?

Answer 1

This was an extremely difficult event for these delegates and none took it lightly. It was very solemn and the Delegates attending on that last day all had respect for each other. For those who remained and refused to sign (the primary focus I believe of your question) I must take exception with Elizabeth's stated reasons for their not signing and say that their refusal had little if any thing to do with the question of slavery. This is not to say that slavery was a small thing, after all they developed the 3/5s rule for the Constitution by taking slaves into consideration, but the reasons for those three who refused to sign on the last day took other paths.

Keep in mind the tension and stress of the moment. Madison wrote in his notes that Alexander Hamilton "expressed his anxiety that every member should sign." . . . . "A few characters of consequence by opposing or even refusing to sign the Constitution, might do infinite mischief by kindling the latent sparks which lurk under an enthusiasm in favor of the Constitution which may soon subside. No man's ideas are more remote from the plan than my own are known to be. But is it possible to deliberate between anarchy and convulsion on one side, and the chance of good to be expected from the plan on the other?" Others also spoke and the concern was not to insult one another and to get all to sign the Constitution.

Edmund Randolph was highly respected and his refusal to sign would not go unnoticed and Randolph went on to repeat his reasons for refusal, "that in refusing to sign the Constitution, he took a step which might be the most awful of his life, but it was dictated by his conscience, and it was not possible for him to hesitate, much less, to change." He also repeated his persuasion, that the holding out this plan with a final alternative to the people, of accepting or rejecting in toto, would really produce the anarchy and civil convulsions which were apprehended from the refusal of individuals to sign it.

Elbridge Gerry spoke next. As the only Northerner in the Convention who refused to sign, his position was difficult. Madison wrote that on the final day Gerry, "described the painful feelings of his situation, and the embarrassment under which he rose to offer any further observations on the subject which had been finally decided. Gerry said, "He feared civil war and in Massachusetts particularly where there are two parties, one devoted to democracy, the worst he thought of all political evils, the other as violent in the opposite extreme, From the collision of these opposing and resisting the Constitution, confusion was greatly to be feared." "He thought the plan should have been proposed in a more mediating shape, in order to abate the heat and opposition of parties. As it had been passed by the Convention, he was persuaded it would have a contrary effect. He could not therefore, by signing the Constitution, pledge himself to abide by it at all events."

George Mason (the remaining delegate attending but refusing to sign) did not rise to state his reasons. Rather, on the blank pages of his draft of the Constitution (the one returned by the Committee of Style on September 12th) Mason had written out his objections; they covered three pages and include such as, "There is no declaration of rights; they refer to the dangerous powers of the President and the Senate." Subsequently he sent the full list to General Washington. It has been said that no one question his devotion to his ideals and considering the life and accomplishments of Mason that is not surprising.

No, slavery was not the issue for these individuals as it was not for others not supporting it (those not delegates) such as Patrick Henry. Rather, it was ideals of individual rights and fear of a strong central government. Keep in mind, under the Articles of Confederation a treat of peace was signed with Great Britain ending the war. This was the 1783 Treaty of Peace signed in Paris. There in Article One of that document every State is identified and declared (to the world) as Free, Independent, and Sovereign. That is, each State was an independent nation and each of these delegates knew this and were loyal and responsible to their individual States.

As a final attempt to provide a unified face to the world, knowing that there was no way all delegates attending would sign, they agreed that they would have unanimity by stating that all States attending would have signed, and that was true.

Interestingly those who did not sign that last day work with great diligence during the ratification process for the Constitution to be accepted.

Answer 2

Because they did not believe in what the constitution had to offer and therefore did not want to support what they disagree with.