August 18, 2024
Dear Editor,
I love the Federalist Papers. It is a treasure trove of wisdom, of freedom principles. That said, not all the 85 papers were equally written. For that matter, not all the writers were equally enlightening. James Madison, in my opinion, is far superior to Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Madison, the fourth president of the United States, is known as the Father of the Constitution. He was in the Constitutional Convention. He wrote and compiled the Constitution from the discussions that took place.
Federalist vs Anti-Federalist, Side-by-Side
As I studied the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers side by side, I learned how the different points were argued. To promote the ideals of the Constitution, the Federalists started to publish articles in the newspapers to the American people. They wrote about the necessity of a new Constitution, national defense, taxation, form of government, militia, etc.
The Anti-Federalists, in turn, published articles in response to the Federalists.
Initially, the Federalists were driving the discussion, and they were winning the argument. Our discussion group, The Patriots of Liberty and Constitution, is about a third of the way in our study. The Federalists were more persuasive, until that point. The mood of the Americans was leaning to the Federalist’s side, especially in the necessity of a new Constitution and on defense.
Sensing this, the Anti-Federalists wrote a series of new articles. This time, not in response to the topic presented by the Federalists but to drive the discussion. These were regarding Taxation and authorities granted by the Constitution, and they are the best-written papers by the Anti-Federalists. So much so, that Alexender Hamilton never provided an adequate response. Was he dumbfounded? We will get back to this.
Another question that came up was, why are these papers important? What kind of impact do they have? The McCullough v Virginia is a landmark case that defines the authority of the Federal vs State laws. Justice John Marshall cited Anti-Federalists 32 and 33 in his decision. There are other cases where Federalist or Anti-Federalist Papers were cited. The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers have a profound impact on the forming of our nation and its thinking.
Madison’s Pearl of Great Price
Federalists 37 to 58 were authored by James Madison, in a period that lasted over five months. In that same period, Hamilton went silent. I do not know the reason why. Might it have anything to do with the Anti-Federalist renewed arguments? We can only speculate. One thing is certain, Madison took full advantage to explain to the American people about the Constitution and what it means.
Madison started at the beginning and explained every fact of the Constitution… again.
Federalists 37 and 38 are my two favorite papers. Better than 1, 10, 21, and 51, which are the most recognizable papers. Many of you believe that the US Constitution was inspired. In papers 37 and 38, Madison explains how the framers of the Constitution were inspired by God–during the convention. God had His hands in the entire process
I love these words from Madison. You will be touched by reading them too.
The Patriots for Liberty and Constitution is studying the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. We are studying the renewed arguments by the Anti-Federalists. In a few weeks, we will study the pearl of great price that Madison left us, among a treasure trove of freedom principles. We meet every Monday from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Mountain Valley Baptist Church in Pocatello (202 S Seventh Ave, Pocatello). I invite you to join us in feasting upon these divine papers.
Art da Rosa, PE, MPA, CFM
Inkom, Idaho
