Monday, September 5, 2011

Anti-Federalist

     The speaker in this work, while addressing the citizens of New-York, is also addressing all the citizens of the United States.  I find it interesting that the speaker starts off his work with the best interest of the country in mind.  He states right off the bat that if a Constitution would help the country then the citizens should stand behind it.  He implores the people however, to really give time, thought, and consideration to what they are voting for.
     He begins after the introduction, to list off reasons why he doesn't approve of a Constitution that gives power to somewhat ambiguous federal figures.  One of the most important reasons I think that the Anti-Federalists were wary of the Constitution was the power it gave to enforce taxation (paragraph six).  It is important to note that the citizens during this time came from England where they were brutally forced to pay outrageous amounts of taxes that served no purpose and ultimately made them suffer.  It is understandable that the Anti-Federalists would be nervous about that particular part of the Constitution.
     The Anti-Federalists also take into account simple human nature when considering the Constitution.  They argue that it is natural for a person to want to acquire more power and authority once they have tasted it.  The speaker utilizes the great civilizations of the Greeks and Romans as examples of this particular human characteristic which leads him into his next concern of the ability of the federal government to keep an army in peacetime.  The speaker believes this will fuel the fire so to speak when it comes to a desire for power and authority and ultimately destroy the very idea of liberty.
     The last major concern the Anti-Federalists have with the Constitution is the figures that will be representing the people.  The Anti-Federalists believe that the country is too large and too varied in character to have one national government representing all the different states.  The Anti-Federalists feel that an adequate representation is impossible (fourth paragraph from the end).
     I really admire the writer of this particular paper.  It is obvious that he has strong convictions about what he believes and he truly has the best interest of America at heart whether or not he is right.  He pulls specific examples from history to prove his points which when it comes to humans, is the only logical thing to do.  It is apparent that he simply wants citizens to make clear, thought out decisions when it comes to the making up of their own country and he doesn't want history to repeat itself.

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