Throughout the ratification debate, Federalists and Antifederalists referred to the Constitution metaphorically. Timothy Pickering called it a “mansion,” Francis Hopkinson “The New Roof,” “Centinel” “the monster,” “Brutus” “the gilded pill,” and “Philadelphiensis” “the rivet of tyranny.” On 7 December 1787 the Massachusetts Gazette published a short piece describing “the disunited states of America” as “thirteen distinct, separate, independent, unsupported columns.” Later in December, a new metaphorical device was created by Benjamin Russell, printer of the Massachusetts Centinel. Russell introduced his reprint of the Delaware Convention’s form of ratification with the heading: “The first pillar of a great federal superstructure raised.” Thereafter, newspapers throughout the country published variations on this theme. Russell brought his metaphor to life on 16 January 1788 when he published a woodcut illustration entitled “the federal pillars.” It showed five state pillars erected with a sixth pillar labeled “Mass.” in the process of being raised by the hand of God. Russell updated his illustration as additional states ratified the Constitution.
Pillars
- Massachusetts Centinel, 16 January 1788
(The Sixth Pillar of the Great Federal Superstructure) - Boston Independent Chronicle, 7 February 1788
(The Sixth Pillar Raised) - Newburyport, Mass., Essex Journal, 13 February 1788
(A variation of the Illustration appearing in a Massachusetts newspaper urging New Hampshire to ratify) - Massachusetts Centinel, 25 June 1788 (excerpt), The Ninth Pillar
(The Image appearing in the Massachusetts Centinel celebrating New Hampshire’s ratification) - Massachusetts Centinel, 4 July 1788, Boston Celebrates the News of Virginia Ratification
(A series of three Illustrations appearing in late June and early July of 1788 in the Massachusetts Centinel) - Boston Independent Chronicle, 3 June 1790
(Massachusetts announces Rhode Island’s Ratification with an illustration showing the 13th pillar)
Domes
- Charleston City Gazette, 28 May 1788
(Illustration used to announce South Carolina’s ratification of the Constitution) - North Carolina, Wilmington Centinel, 9 July 1788
(North Carolina announces Virginia’s ratification) - Charleston City Gazette, 16 July 1788
(South Carolina announces Virginia’s ratification)
Pavilion
- New York Daily Advertiser, 2 August 1788, Description of the New York City Federal Procession
(An Illustration of the Celebration Banquet Pavillion in New York City using a pillars format)