Strife of a Federal Republican
In our fight for independence, Americans were led to freedom by the Continental Congress. Its strong army and the Articles of Confederation provided an excellent way for common men such as myself to be represented. I am therefore appalled at the recent campaign for a ratified constitution.
The Federalists, as they call themselves, are too caught up in the excitement of a new nation to realize the fault in their constitution. They argue that the new government will have sects to distribute the power which “should be drawn from the same fountain of authority, the people”(3). How then, I ask, will the people be given representation? If the elected officials are members of an elite minority, how can the concerns of the common man be heard? The answer is quite simple: they will be unheard under the commotion of rich men’s thirst for power and fame.
Moreover, the federalists want to create a federal union, with less attention given to state governments (2). Local governments and town meetings are the backbone of our nation. The federalists cannot expect to take them away after more than one hundred years of localized government! Furthermore, I believe they have forgotten why we fought the revolution. We sought to escape oppressive British rule, and this ridiculous proposition of a centralized government breeds fear of a new form of oppression in which diverse American opinions are not heard.
In addition, some states have their own bill of rights while the constitution has no way of guaranteeing the unalienable rights of the people. If these darn federalists would just agree to include a Bill of rights, perhaps we would be more inclined to support ratification. However, as of now, they insist on including amendments after the constitution is ratified (1). This gives me no comfort because it will be much easier to deny a bill of rights after ratification.
I know some of you must sympathize with my reservations. I am open to the idea of change but not when my voice will not be heard and my rights not guaranteed. We must remember what we fought for and insist on a bill of rights.
Sources:
(1)Hoyde, Ellen., Ronald Blumer, Muffie Meyer. “An Empire of Reason.” Youtube video, 57:02. Posted by “MrsHoelperl,” October 17, 2014,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV1G8_CzJhs (2)Henretta, James A., Eric Hinderaker, Rebecca Edwards, and Robert O. Self. America’s History. 8th ed. Boston, Massachusetts: Bedford St. Martin, 2014.
(3)Madison, James. “Federalist No. 51.” New York Packet, February 8, 1788.