I’m an Anti-Fed in 1791.
Our new independence from Britain left America open to new forms of government and political divisions. Because of growing territories and economic tensions, a faction of Federalists developed new financial and political systems to replace our state-centered Articles of Confederation. Anti-Federalists, like myself, oppose the adoption of this new central government and prefer strong state power.
Because our Articles lacked a court system and law enforcement, Federalists adopted a Constitution that created a national government with 3 branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) and a system of checks and balances. However, this type of government, adapted from British mixed government, protects the wealthy and under-represents the common people. Although the bicameral legislature and Great Compromise give us representation based on population, the legislature branch should be much more significant to ensure that the voice of the people is the loudest. Also, America is such a vast country that a national legislature may not be able to adequately respect our regional needs and interests. Similar to the monarchy from which we just won our freedom, the executive power of the president is a threat to our individual rights and liberties. Filled with men of reputation, the executive branch will have too much power over the common farmers. Likewise, giving ultimate judicial power to the Supreme Court and full tenure to judges endangers equality in the courts and may lead to corrupted evaluations. The government will, essentially, be governing itself.
The Federalists also believe in a financial program in favor of national mercantilism, advocated by Alexander Hamilton. They want a system of permanent debt through the redemption of war bonds and assumption of all state war debts; from this and the creation of a national bank, the Federalists believe the economy will stabilize. However, because of this plan, wealthy landowners who bought bonds profit substantially, while the common people receive nothing. This unfairness emphasizes the favor of the national government toward private individuals and merchants, instead of us, common people. War bond interest will also require more required revenue, which will mean more unwanted taxation.
It’s 1791; the Constitution has already been ratified, but the Bill of Rights has yet to be. While we are glad that our individual rights will soon be acknowledged, we’re still skeptical about the new governing policies, as well as increasing land conflict in the west..
"Federalist Party." History.com. 1991. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.history.com/topics/federalist-party.
"Hamilton's Economic Policies." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (November 29, 2015). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401801839.html
Pinheiro. "Assessing the Anti-Federalists." Acton Institute. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.acton.org/pub/religion-liberty/volume-20-number-2/assessing-anti-federalists.