What were Gouverneur Morris's views on equal rights?

Answer 1

Now there is a question with a complicated answer, in part the answer need to ask the question, equal rights for who, and then it is still a complicated answer.

Gouverneur Morris came out strong in support of the troops after witnessing the deplorable conditions that men faced at Valley Forge and he lost his bid for re-election in New York State in 1779, as he was a outspoken supporter of a strong central government in a de-centralist state like New York.

At the Constitutional Convention, Morris had much to say and gave more speeches than any other delegate. He put aside his typical harsh and sarcastic demenor and took the role of peacemaker, he felt that he did not just represent a particular state, but as he said was "a representative of the whole human race." In his role as a constitutional draftsman he pushed his support on issues of religious liberty, opposition to slavery, the rule of law, the consent of the governed as the basis of government, and the right of property as the foundation of society.

Morris was sceptical of universal suffrage, he argued that common people were incapable of self-government because the poor would sell their votes to the rich, reasoning that voting should be restricted to property owners. Morris also opposed admitting new western states on an equal basis with the existing eastern states, fearing that the interior wilderness could not furnish "enlightened" statesmen to the country.

On the other hand, Morris was about the sole vocal opponent of slavery at the convention. James Madison wrote the following:

He [Gouverneur Morris] never would concur in upholding domestic slavery. It was a nefarious institution. It was the curse of heaven on the states where it prevailed. ...with the misery and poverty which overspread the barren wastes of Virginia, Maryland, and the other states having slaves.... Proceed southwardly, and every step you take, through the great regions of slaves, presents a desert increasing with the increasing proportion of these wretched beings. Upon what principle is it that the slaves shall be computed in the representation? Are they men? Then make them citizens, and let them vote. Are they property? Why, then, is no other property included?

As to what Morris would have thought about equal rights for women, that would be an anachronistic idea, he does write about his time in France and speaks of his numerous relations with women. As to his veiws on equal rights, it would be somewhat speculative to eveluate what view he may have had on such issues as womens rights, or the rights of people with disabilities or gay rights and the such. Although he was not a religious man he was a man of strong spiritual virtue that was his operating principal.