Antifederalist Papers commentary #2

This commentary is based on the following document. Antifederalist paper No. 9, A Consolidated Government is a Tyranny. This paper takes the form of a satire. The author writes the paper as if he is among proponents of the constitution that was to replace the Articles of Confederation. Though a grand satire, the author truly hits the nail on the head.

The author begins by describing the lamentable state of the aristocrats in post revolution America. He cries out that the current confederation brought the filthy common man to made equal to the aristocratic gentry. To be considered equal to the men whom he considers(in his artificial persona) unable to govern themselves, is criminal. Government is to be left for the superior man! Why should the intelligent, and prosperous folk suffer to be under the rule of a common man?

Then he carries on to explain the purpose of the constitution as being to indulge the peoples' sense of democracy by giving them the House of Representatives while in actuality retaining their aristocratic power by the keeping of the Senate, and the President's office, both holding the power to veto the laws of these lower men. " Nor have we allowed the populace the right to elect their representatives annually . . . lest this body should be too much under the influence and control of their constituents," alluding to the extension of term years.

In regards to the power of the House of Representatives to impeach he states; "What matters it who accuses if the accused is tried by his friends." The "Friends" of the accused being the Senate. The accused being the President. After this offensive statement he haughtily notes how our state legislatures being left as they were, will rapidly be pulled into the "Continental Vortex." For what true power does a state have when the Federal Government has the power to: collect taxes, raise the armies, and decide the constitutionality of each law by the Supreme Court whose justices be appointed by their president?

The paper is closed with venomous words, "And finally we shall entrench ourselves so as to laugh at the cabals of the commonalty. A few regiments will do at first; it must be spread abroad that they are absolutely necessary to defend the frontiers. Now a regiment and then a legion must be added quietly; by and by a frigate or two must be built, still taking care to intimate that they are essential to the support of our revenue laws and to prevent smuggling." alluding to the hammering down of any attempted insurrection. This is quite true for us today, is it not? Our military has been spread abroad to ensure our freedoms, but LO! We have been forewarned many years past by our great founders!

I heartily suggest you read this paper for your self. You must be ultimately the judge of this text. For me, this text rings loudly as the bell of liberty itself with truth. It could not more clearly show you your calamity! Dear reader, take a moment to reflect on these implications. Your government was only meant to repress you!

If ye be of a free mind, ye be of a free body subject to none but the one who orders the laws of nature. If ye be delusioned into thinking that ye are eternally bound to this grave Social Contract, look no further than these words. You my friend are created of free mind, free body, and free spirit. To accept less than this freedom is to disgrace the Nature which moulded your perfect shape, and gave light to your mind!

http://www.thisnation.com/library/antifederalist/09.html