Category — Alexander Hamilton

Individual rights were not a significant issue during the Constitutional Convention, but a Bill of Rights certainly became a major issue during ratification. Those who fought for a Bill of Rights weren’t looking for a government guarantee of an itemized list of rights. Even the anti-Federalists believed that rights came from God, not the government. These Constitutional dissenters were demanding that government be restricted from interfering with their rights. In other words, they wanted it made crystal clear where the government dare not tread.   Read the rest of this entry »

At the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Franklin was queried as he left Independence Hall on the final day of deliberation. In the notes of Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland’s delegates to the Convention, a lady asked Dr. Franklin “Well Doctor what have we got, a republic or a monarchy.” Franklin replied, “A republic . . . if you can keep it.”   Read the rest of this entry »

In Federalist No. 19, Madison and Hamilton provide another history lesson to their readers. While No. 18 focused on ancient Grecian republics, this essay deals with more contemporary examples, namely that of the Germanic states and the Swiss cantons.   Read the rest of this entry »

This new documentary on Alexander Hamilton was full of missed opportunities. While there were some interesting bits and even some thoughtful insights, the producers tried too hard and many of the scenes felt utterly contrived.   Read the rest of this entry »

Hamilton and Madison draw on their study of ancient history to show that even the wisest confederacies are prone to dissension and dissolution. They conclude that there is more to fear from the anarchy of its members than from the tyranny of its federation.   Read the rest of this entry »

Hamilton may have allowed his enthusiasm and optimism get the best of him in some of his assessments as to the risks involved in investing too much power into the central government. His desire to replace the Articles of Confederation is laudable, but some of his arguments make the reader reflect ... "methinks [he] doth protest too much."   Read the rest of this entry »

In this essay, Hamilton cites the experience of other confederacies as an argument for a strong central government and dismisses fears that the central government could become abusive. It now appears that those fears were well founded.   Read the rest of this entry »

Federalist No. 16 is the second of six essays on the inability of the Confederation to preserve the Union. Amazingly enough, Hamilton finds a way to come up with new and interesting things to say which offer insights into what he and his fellow writers had in mind for the federal government. It's no wonder that the anti-Federalists were concerned with a Constitution that had no bill of rights.   Read the rest of this entry »

Things are bad, but they've been bad before. How Hamilton saved the nation by instilling confidence and a sound economic policy.   Read the rest of this entry »

In this article we attempt to pull out some things to think about from Federalist No. 15. We ponder whether Hamilton may have gone overboard in correcting some of the defects he identified in the Articles of Confederation. There are also some timeless observations on foreign policy.   Read the rest of this entry »