Federalist No. 1
General Introduction
Alexander Hamilton
After dealing with the Articles of Confederation (in place since 1777 and ratified in 1781), which created an ineffectual and toothless Federal government, the US Constitution was proposed in 1787. The purpose of the Constitutional Framework was to unify the 13 states who were operating, more or less, as individual sovereignties under the nominal banner of the United States.
Federalist No.1 introduced the topic of the Constitution and prepared the readers for the coming papers in support of adoption. Hamilton argued that no less than, “the existence of the Union, the safety and welfare of the parts of which it is composed, the fate of an empire in many respects the most interesting in the world,” were at stake. Hamilton continued, “It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.”
Hamilton was encouraging the population, and the State governing bodies, to consider the loftiness of what was to be considered. The proposal was to transition some power from the State governments to the Federal while providing mechanisms for enforcement missing in the original Articles of Confederation. Hamilton also prefaced the argument for the Constitution with an acknowledgement that there were those in opposition to the proposed order. Hamilton claimed, “it cannot be doubted that much of the opposition which has made its appearance, or may hereafter, make its appearance, will spring from sources, blameless at least, if not respectable – the honest errors of minds led astray by preconceived jealousies and fears.”
Hamilton touches on the opposition approach in Federalist No. 1, stating that the anti-Federalists will take the position that your liberty will be at risk under the proposed Constitution. At the time there was great fear of an energized and efficient government. Hamilton highlighted, in response, that, “the men who [had] overturned liberties of republics, … [began] their career[s] by paying [overly obedient] court to the people; commencing in demagogue[ry], and ending in tyran[ny].” In essence, those most opining the virtue of liberty have too often utilized the current structures of the republic to strip liberties away.
As for Hamilton, his decision was made. He wrote, “Yes, my countrymen, I won to you that, after having given it an attentive consideration, I am clearly of the opinion it is your interest to adopt it. I am convinced that this is the safest course for your liberty, your dignity, and your happiness. I affect not the reserves which I do not feel. I will not amuse you with an appearance of deliberation when I have decided. I frankly acknowledge to you my convictions, and I will freely lay before you the reasons on which they are founded.”
Hamilton, and his fellow writers, will endeavor, over the course of the Federalist papers, to answer the objections of the opposition and to persuade the doubters to the efficacy of the proposed Constitution.
Over the course of the 85 papers, I intend to review and summarize, I hope to provide an insight into the motives behind the Constitution, an understanding of the limits that were placed on the Federal government, and a real understanding of how our Federalist Republic is supposed to look and how it is supposed to function.
