"Your alternative seems contradictory," said I.
"In what respect?"
"It makes the United States exist before the United States came into existence," said I.
"Then what would your answer be?"
"The people of each colony, or each State rather, sent delegates. The delegates, representing the respective States, framed the constitution. The people, if I mistake not, ratified the constitution, each State voting separately. Therefore I think that the United States government is a creature of the States and not of the people as a body-politic; for there could have been no such body-politic."
"Jones, my dear fellow, you are a constitutional lawyer; you ought never to have entered military service."
"Besides," said I, "Rhode Island and North Carolina refused for a time to enter into the agreement."
"And suppose they had refused finally. Would, the other States have compelled them to come in?" he asked.
"I cannot say as to that," said I.
"Do you think they would have had the moral right to coerce them?"