Elbridge Gerry has the namesake of gerrymandering, but he was very much more involved in the formation of our earlier colonial history. He became the governor of Massachusetts and was a signatory on the Declaration of Independence. He also attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Despite his participation and contribution to the Constitution, he did not sign the document. He worried that the rights of private citizens could be vulnerable to the power of the executive and the self-interested “demagogues” (a person who appeals to the emotion and prejudices of people, especially in order to gain political power, according to the definition of Webster’s Dictionary).
The “dupes” are easily deceived patriots. He urged the inclusion of a provision for impeachment in the Constitution. He also exhorted for the Bill of Rights as a key check on federal powers. Gerry subsequently joined President James Madison (considered to be the father of the Constitution) as Vice President.
Had Gerry’s specific concerns been incorporated into the Constitution, we might not currently have a demagogue for a President.
Gerry Snyder
Ely/Simsbury, Conn.