Question

Read the following excerpt from The Objections of the Hon. George Mason to the Proposed Federal Constitution: Addressed to the Citizens of Virginia, written in 1787.

There is no declaration of rights: and the laws of the general government being paramount to the laws and constitutions of the several states, the declarations of rights, in the separate states, are no security.

Based on the excerpt, what does George Mason think the Constitution would need to better protect citizens?

a bill of rights
a congress
a president
a military

Answer 1

a bill of rights

Mason is arguing the Constitution lacks a declaration of rights, so explicit protections (a bill of rights) are needed because federal law would override state declarations.