Question

-EXPLAIN THESE TWO QUOTES- WORTH 80 POINTS!

“As the British Constitution is the most subtle organism which has proceeded from the womb and long gestation of progressive history, so the American Constitution is, so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.”
— W. E. Gladstone

“I am exceedingly distressed at the proceedings of the Convention—being ... almost sure, they will ... lay the foundation of a Civil War.”
— Elbridge Gerry (Massachusetts Delegate), 1787

Answer 1

— W. E. Gladstone

You must note that the US Constitution is heavily based off of the British Constitution, with a few tweaks (for example, allowing slavery, which was later overturned after the American Civil War). Gladstone believed that the British Constitution was well-made and organized, and that, because most of the US Constitution was based off of it, that the US constitution would also be good.

— Elbridge Gerry

Gerry, on the other hand, believed that it would cause a Civil War (which did occur during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. In this context, we must know that while the Southern Colonies wanted slavery, most Northern Colonies did not believe that slavery was needed. This argument, as well as future expansions both territorial and belief, led to the American Civil War. Gerry essentially believed that the U.S. Constitution should not be based off of Britain's constitution, and that he did not support the outcome of the Convention.

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