The Federalist Papers - Alexander Hamilton [19]
Danger of faction in the United States as elsewhere—Nature of a faction—Modes of avoiding this danger—Superiority of a representative government to a democracy in preventing factions—The advantage of a large republic in this respect.
NO. 11: THE UTILITY OF THE UNION IN RESPECT TO COMMERCIAL RELATIONS AND A NAVY 79
Foreign nations jealous of our commerce—Need of uniformity of action—Respect commanded by a navy—Effects of disunion on commerce—On the fisheries—On the navigation of the Western lakes and the Mississippi river—Jealousy of Spain—Advantages of a navy—Internal commerce—Europe not superior to America.
NO. 12: THE UTILITY OF THE UNION IN RESPECT TO REVENUE 86
Commerce the best source of wealth, and increases the ability to pay taxes—Indirect taxation best suited to America, and that must come from commerce—Taxation of this sort impossible without Union—The results of a destruction of this resource—The need of revenue, and the best sources for it ensured by Union.
NO. 13: ADVANTAGE OF THE UNION IN RESPECT TO ECONOMY IN GOVERNMENT 92
One civil list instead of many—Small confederacies will be formed, each as expensive as the single Confederacy proposed—Reasons for this.
NO. 14: OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION FROM EXTENT OF TERRITORY ANSWERED 94
Distinction between a republic and a democracy—Errors as to ancient republics—Extending the limits of a republic—Territory of the United States not too extended, compared with European nations—Jurisdiction of the United States limited to objects of general interest—Purpose of the Constitution to unite States and add to their number—Intercourse between the States will be promoted—All the States exposed, and all need protection.
NO. 15: THE INSUFFICIENCY OF THE PRESENT CONFEDERATION TO PRESERVE THE UNION 100
Evil results of the present Confederation—Analysis of the defects of the Confederation—The true purposes of government—Impotence of the Confederation for efficient government—Experience under the present Confederation.
NO. 16: THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED 108
Experience of other confederacies—The present Confederation leads to domestic war, foreign influence, national ruin, and military despotism—Union cannot so exist—Efficient government must reach individuals—Objections answered.
NO. 17: THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED 113
The objection that the reserved rights of the States will be invaded—The real danger the other way—Federal governments tend to anarchy, not tyranny—The States will have a superior influence—Reasons for this—Historical examples: European feudalism; Scotland.
NO. 18: THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED 118
Historical examples: Amphictyonic council; the Achaean league.
NO. 19: THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED 124
Historical examples: The Germanic confederacy; Poland; the Swiss cantons.
NO. 20: THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED 129
The example of the Netherlands.
NO. 21: OTHER DEFECTS OF THE PRESENT CONFEDERATION 134
No sanction to its laws, no power to exact obedience, no power to punish disobedience, no power to use force with the States, no power to assist a State in enforcing its own laws—Objection as to interfering with States answered—The principle of raising money by contributions from the States—This rule unequal and oppressive and will become ruinous—The remedy proposed—Advantages of taxes on articles of consumption, and of indirect taxation.
NO. 22: THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED 139
No power to regulate commerce—Evils of this lack of power—Raising troops by quota—Evils of such a system—The evils and dangers arising from the equal vote of the States in Congress—The want of a judiciary power—The organization of Congress utterly improper for the exercise of suitable powers—The present Confederation never ratified by the people.
NO. 23: THE NECESSITY OF A GOVERNMENT AS ENERGETIC AS THE ONE PROPOSED TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNION 148
The objects of the federal government—The common defense of the States and the powers necessary—Reasons why these powers should not be limited—Failure in this respect of the Confederation—Remedies