COMMENTARIES, 3-4 SEPTEMBER 1787

are erected; whose happiness being the end of all just laws, no exertion
of collective power should be made, but with an eye to promote it; and
into this common stream the worth, merit, and best deeds of individ-
uals must flow, before a nation can be great and happy. These are
axioms, which none can contravert; yet we have men among us, who
will coolly oppose every thing, which does not bear the marks of Self
Their intentions are as obvious, as the measures are despicable. The
great Anti-Impost Man,3 after having disseminated the seeds of dissen-
tion, keeps aloof, gliding down the tide of popularity: it is, however, to
be hoped, that the same wisdom which dictated the necessity of revising
the Federal Government, will impress the citizens with just notions of
a governing Head; and, at the same time, a due regard for the rights
of individuals. The grand question, Whether we shall separate-or-
UNITE MORE FIRMLY IN FEDERAL TIES?-here opens to us: it is
an interesting one. The mutilated soldier-the ruined citizen-the dis-
tressed orphan-and the kindly stranger, are buried in anxious sus-
pence for its fate. No man, in his proper senses, would prefer evil to
good; and no honest American can oppose that, which is intended and
calculated to render his situation eligible and happy; he detests every
idea of servile dependence on ambitious Rulers, who have nothing in
view but their own aggrandizement.
Sept. 1, 1787.
[4 September] We have men among us, who are assiduously striving
to form a party against Federal attachments: to cover their contracted
designs, many weak arguments are used.-They tell us, that the Con-
federation is sufficient, and that, by acceding to a well-balanced, en-
ergetic Government, we will delegate to the Supreme Head those pow-
ers, which we, as a State, should only possess. The alarming complexion
of the times requires truth and plainness. How vague is the reasoning
used by those gentlemen, in favor of their opinions!-I will ask, why
do we, as citizens, delegate to the Legislature the power of ruling us?
Is it not to secure to us those privileges which we enjoy? The propriety
of a ruling Head is so striking, that all mankind readily give into it:-
the most uncouth barbarian will tell you, that, in order to live in do-
mestic security, he must come under some Government; that the whole
community, of which he is a member, are bound in the strictest ties of
reciprocal protection and preservation; and, as a member of the same
social compact, he is, in common with his fellow subjects, entitled to
the full protection of his life, liberty, and property. In this view the
United States must be considered: they each form a constituent part
of the grand body politic; by contributing to the same general stock, a

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