As one state after another ratified, Federalists engaged in a wide variety of public events celebrating the Constitution. It was thought that these public celebrations would demonstrate the broad acceptance of the Constitution. Often these events were accompanied by toasts to the Constitution, individuals, the economy, other nations, kings and queens, and even states that had or were expected to ratify. There was also the occasional toast to the frustrations and calamity that Federalists expected to fall upon Antifederalists. Federalist celebrations, or the planning of them, occasionally provoked antifederalists riots.
Celebrations
- Lancaster, Pa., Celebration, 19 December 1787
- Description of the New York City Federal Procession, New York Daily Advertiser, 2 August 1788
- Norfolk and Portsmouth Journal, 9 July 1788
- Samuel Blachley Webb to Catherine Hogeboom, New York, 17 February 1788
- New York Daily Advertiser, 5 July 1788
Toasts
- Massachusetts Gazette, 8 February 1788
- Patriotic Toasts after the Procession, Boston Independent Chronicle, 14 February 1788
- New York Daily Advertiser, 15 February 1788
- Boston Independent Chronicle, 1 May 1788
- Newport Herald, 26 March 1789