The Federalist Papers - Alexander Hamilton [27]
Bill of rights—Liberty of the press—Seat of government too remote—No provision for debts due to the United States—Additional expenses of new system—Concluding remarks.
NO. 85: CONCLUDING REMARKS 520
Manner in which subject has been discussed—An appeal to the reader to weigh the matter carefully and act conscientiously—Confidence of Publius in the arguments which he has advanced—The conceded imperfections no reason for delay—Extent of them exaggerated—The Constitution not radically defective—Rights and interests of the people safe under Constitution—Not perfect, but a good plan—The state of the country forbids delay in vainly seeking a perfect plan—Difficulty of having another convention—Easier to cure defects by amendments after the adoption—No plan can be satisfactory to all the States—Supposed obstacles in the way of making subsequent amendments considered—The ease with which a federal convention may be called to make amendments—Conclusion.
Preface
It is supposed that a collection of the papers which have made their appearance in the gazettes of this city, under the Title of the FEDERALIST, may not be without effect in assisting the public judgment on the momentous question of the constitution for the United States, now under the consideration of the people of America. A desire to throw full light upon so interesting a subject has led, in a great measure unavoidably, to a more copious discussion than was at first intended. And the undertaking not being yet completed, it is judged advisable to divide the collection into two volumes, of which the ensuing Numbers constitute the first. The Second Volume will follow as speedily as the Editor can get it ready for publication.
The particular circumstances under which these papers have been written, have rendered it impracticable to avoid violations of method and repetitions of ideas which cannot but displease a critical reader. The latter defect has even been intentionally indulged, in order the better to impress particular arguments which were most material to the general scope of the reasoning. Respect for public opinion, not anxiety for the literary character of the performance, dictates this remark. The great wish is that it may promote the cause of truth and lead to a right judgment of the true interests of the community.
NEW YORK, March 17, 1788.
No. 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION (HAMILTON)
AFTER an unequivocal experience of the inefficacy of the subsisting federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new Constitution for the United States of America. The subject speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences nothing 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. It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, 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. If there be any truth in the remark, the crisis at which we are arrived may with propriety be regarded as the era in which that decision is to be made; and a wrong election of the part we shall act may, in this view, deserve to be considered as the general misfortune of mankind.
This idea will add the inducements of philanthropy to those of patriotism, to heighten the solicitude which all considerate and good men must feel for the event. Happy will it be if our choice should be directed by a judicious estimate of our true interests, unperplexed and unbiased by considerations not connected with the public good. But this is a thing more ardently to be wished than seriously to be expected. The plan offered to our deliberations affects too many particular interests, innovates upon too many local institutions, not to involve