Essays on the Constitution of the United States: Published during its Discussion by the People, 1787-1788
History
Essays on the Constitution of the United States: Published during its Discussion by the People, 1787-1788
Constitutional history -- United States -- Sources; United States. Constitution
gloomily determine that greater sufferings must open the eyes of the
deluded—the men who oppose, tho’ they may claim a temporary triumph, will
find themselves totally unable to propose, and much less to adopt a better
system; the narrowness of policy that they have pursued will instantly
appear more ridiculous than at present, and the triumph will spoil that
importance, which nature designed them to receive not by succeeding, but
by impeding national councils. These men cannot, therefore, be the
saviours of their country. While those who have been foremost in the
political contention disappear either thro’ despondence or neglect, every
man will do what is right in his own eyes and his hand will be against his
neighbor—industry will cease—the states will be filled with jealousy—some
opposing and others endeavoring to retaliate—a thousand existing factions,
and acts of public injustice, thro’ the temporary influence of parties,
will prepare the way for chance to erect a government, which might now be
established by deliberate wisdom. When government thus arises, it carries
an iron hand.
Should the states reject a union upon solid and efficient principles,
there needs but some daring genius to step forth, and impose an authority
which future deliberation never can correct. Anarchy, or a want of such
government as can protect the interests of the subjects against foreign
and domestic injustice, is the worst of all conditions. It is a condition
which mankind will not long endure. To avoid its distress they will resort
to any standard which is erected, and bless the ambitious usurper as a
messenger sent by heaven to save a miserable people. We must not depend
too much on the enlightened state of the country; in deliberation this may
preserve us, but when deliberation proves abortive, we are immediately to
calculate on other principles, and enquire to what may the passions of men
lead them, when they have deliberated to the utmost extent of patience,
and been foiled in every measure, by a set of men who think their
emoluments more safe upon a partial system, than upon one which regards
the national good.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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