Sign Here...or Don't: The Great Philadelphia Convention Attendance Caper
The Philadelphia Convention of 1787: a gathering of the brightest minds (and biggest egos) of the newly minted United States. Their mission: patch up the leaky ship of government known as the Articles of Confederation. Spoiler alert: they ended up ditching the whole raft and building a brand new federalist schooner – the U.S. Constitution!
But hey, even with a free buffet and Ben Franklin's witticisms, not everyone was on board with the final product. So, how many delegates decided to skip out on signing the Constitution's dotted line?
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| How Many Delegates To The Philadelphia Convention Did Not Sign The Constitution |
Out of Pen, Out of Luck: The Non-Signers
While 70 delegates were initially appointed to the convention, only 55 showed up. That's like RSVP-ing "yes" to a party and then mysteriously "getting swamped" with errands that day. Out of those 55, a good number probably had their arms aching from all the note-taking (remember, no laptops back then!). But 16 delegates took a stand – or more accurately, a seat – and refused to sign the final document.
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Why the cold shoulder? There were a few reasons:
Missing Bill of Rights: Some delegates, like George Mason, felt the Constitution lacked teeth when it came to protecting individual liberties. They wanted a clear bill of rights tacked on, basically saying "Hey, new government, you can't just barge into our bedrooms and steal our socks!" Thankfully, the Bill of Rights was eventually added later.
Stinky Compromise: The Constitution is famous for its compromises, but not everyone loved the smell. Some delegates, particularly those representing smaller states, worried that the new system would give too much power to big states. They basically felt like they were getting stuck in the back of the government bus.
Just Saying "No" Because They Could: Hey, maybe some delegates just enjoyed being contrarians! They probably showed up to the signing ceremony with a big red "N" on their foreheads, just to rile up the room.
Signatories and Slackers: The Verdict
So, how many delegates didn't sign the Constitution? With a drumroll, please...16! That's about the same number of people who usually "forget" their wallets at a group dinner.
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But here's the important part: The Constitution still got enough signatures to set sail, and the rest, as they say, is history.
FAQ: Signing Up for Your Own Constitutional Convention (Probably Not Recommended)
How to Wrangle Up Delegates? Social media invites and flyers probably won't cut it. Try sending out fancy handwritten invitations with wax seals.
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How to Keep Everyone Happy? Free snacks and an open bar might help, but ultimately, there will be disagreements. Maybe hold a dance competition to break the tension?
How to Draft a Document Everyone Agrees On? This is the tricky part. Expect compromises, late nights, and maybe a few thrown quills.
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
How to Get People to Sign on the Dotted Line? Bribery is technically frowned upon. Try emotional appeals and promises of everlasting glory.
How to Deal With Dissenters? Respectfully! Remember, a healthy democracy allows for different viewpoints. Just don't let them steal all the donuts.
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