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NUMBER II
CONCERNING DANGERS FROM
FOREIGN FORCE AND INFLUENCE
When the American people realize that they are being called upon to make a momentous decision, the most important to ever require their attention, they surely will take a very thorough and serious view of this.
It is evident that government is necessary. It is also true that however that government is put together, it requires people to give up some of their natural rights to that government, so that the government itself will have the powers it needs to govern. It is worth considering: Is it in the best interest of the people of America that they should become one nation, under one federal government? Or, should they divide into separate confederacies, giving to the head of the confederacies the power which they are advised to give to the head of one national government?
The accepted popular opinion right now is that Americans need to stay united if they want to protect their prosperity, and the wishes, prayers and efforts of our best citizens support this position. Yet there are politicians appearing now who contradict this, saying that instead of uniting, we should seek prosperity through separation into separate sovereign states. It’s a fairly new way of thinking and yet we have those who were originally opposed to it that now support the idea. Whatever induced them to change their minds, it would be wise for the people to refrain from accepting the position unless they do so pursuant to truth and sound policy.
I have often been pleased that independent America was composed of one connected fertile and wide spread country rather than from detached and distant territories. Providence has blessed us with a land full of good soil and waters and produce to the benefit and delight of its inhabitants. A connection of navigable waters form a kind of chain around its borders, seeming to bind it together. And there are noble rivers within providing for highways for communication and transportation and trade.
I have also often been pleased to realize that Providence gave this connected land to a connected people – united people, who descended from the same ancestors, who speak the same language, profess the same religion, attach to the same principles of government, are very similar in their manners and custom, and who put together their arms and efforts to fight side by side through a long and bloody war for their liberty and independence.
It seems that Providence meant for us to have this land that is proper and convenient for a band of brothers, united by the strongest ties, who should never be split up into a number of unsocial, jealous or alien sovereignties.
These same thoughts formerly prevailed amongst us. For all practical purposes we have been one people; each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection. As a nation we have experienced peace and war; as a nation we won our struggles against our common enemy; as a nation we have formed alliances, made treaties, and entered into various contracts and business engagements with foreign nations.
A strong common recognition of the value and blessings of union encouraged the people very early on to put together a federal government to preserve and perpetuate that union. The formed it as soon as they could, even as their homes were in flames, and their neighbors were bleeding, and when the hostility and aggressiveness of our enemies prevented calm and mature inquiries and consideration that precedes a wise and balanced government that best protects a free people. It’s not too surprising that a government assembled at such a troubling and disadvantageous time should after a while be found lacking in the purpose it was originally intended for.
Our intelligent population saw, understood and regretted these defects. Yet while the people still wanted the union and liberty, they also saw the danger which threatened that both. Once they were persuaded that security for both union and liberty could only be found in a more appropriately constructed national government, the people convened to to the convention in Philadelphia so that they could consider the subject.
The convention was composed of men who the people had confidence in. Many had become recognizable for their patriotism, virtue and wisdom during times that tried the hearts and minds of men. And yet they undertook this difficult task. This was during a time of peace and therefore their minds were not occupied with other issues. They passed many months in contemplation without interference or interruption, and they were driven, not by a passion for power, but by a love for their country. They concluded by presenting and recommending to the people the plan produced by their joint and unanimous councils.
Now, this plan admittedly is only recommended, not required, but it is not recommended that it be blindly accepted or blindly rejected. Considering how important this issue is, we should consider adoption using thoughtful, open and measured judgment, since this issue certainly deserves that sort of contemplation. Nevertheless, being that careful might be more wishful thinking than fact. We know from experience that we should not be so optimistically hopeful. Remember, it was fear of immediate danger that pushed Americans to form the memorable Congress of 1774. That Congress made recommendations to its constituents and history proved the wisdom of those recommendations. Yet we freshly remember how soon after they were made that the media circulated publications unfavorable to those recommendations. Not only did self-interested government officials speak against this Congress, but also others: those who were mistaken about the consequences of the recommendations; those who were beholden to former political or emotional attachments; those whose ambitions did not include the public good; and those who tirelessly worked to persuade the people to reject the advice of that patriotic Congress. Some were in fact deceived but most people were thoughtful and decided wisely, and they are happy now that they did this.
Those people believed that the 1774 Congress was composed of wise and experienced men. That, having been brought together from many different parts of the country, they brought with them a variety of useful information and they shared that with each other. During the time they spent together asking questions and discussing what the true interests of the country were, they were able to become very knowledgeable regarding their duty. They were each interested in public liberty and prosperity, and they wanted to make only such recommendations that, after careful thought, they knew were the most advisable and wise.
In light of these considerations, the people were lead to reply greatly on the judgment and integrity of Congress, despite the efforts of others to dissuade them. If the people then had reason to be confident in these men, many of whom were of unknown skill, they have an even greater reason now to respect the judgment and advice of those who sit in the Constitutional convention. Some of the most distinguished members of the Congress are now well known and trusted for their patriotism and their abilities, and they have had a long experience in learning about politics, and they are now members of this convention. They bring to this meeting their knowledge and experience.
I should note that the first Congress, every Congress thereafter, as well as the former convention, consistently share with the people the belief that the prosperity of American depends on it staying together as a Union. The great goal of the people in calling this convention was to preserve and perpetuate the Union, and this is the great goal of the plan that the convention is requesting that the people adopt. Therefore, for what good are there being made attempts by some to undermine the importance of the Union? Or why is it being suggested that three or four confederacies would be better than one? I am convinced that the people have always been right about this subject; that their common attachment to the preservation of the Union comes from profound reasoning, and I will try to explain this more in some later papers. Those who support the idea of several separate confederacies being included into the plan seem to be very aware that rejection of the current plan would surely undermine the survival of the Union. That’s clearly what would happen, and I sincerely wish that that all good citizens will clearly see that when the dissolution of the Union happens, America will have to reason to proclaim, in the words of the great poet, “FAREWELL! A LONG FAREWELL TO ALL MY GREATNESS.”
Publius (Jay)
Tags: , constitution, federalist papers
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