COMMENTARIES, 8 NOVEMBER 1787

ever, I believe the probability to be, that if nine states adopt the con-
stitution, the others will.
It may also be worthy our examination, how far the provision for
amending this plan, when it shall be adopted, is of any importance. No
measures can be taken towards amendments, unless two-thirds of the
Congress, or two-thirds of the legislatures of the several states shall
agree.-While power is in the hands of the people, or democratic part
of the community, more especially as at present, it is easy, according to
the general course of human affairs, for the few influential men in the
community, to obtain conventions, alterations in government, and to
persuade the common people they may change for the better, and to
get from them a part of the power: But when power is once transferred
from the many to the few, all changes become extremely difficult; the
government, in this case, being beneficial to the few, they will be ex-
ceedingly artful and adroit in preventing any measures which may lead
to a change; and nothing will produce it, but great exertions and severe
struggles on the part of the common people. Every man of reflection
must see, that the change now proposed, is a transfer of power from
the many to the few, and the probability is, the artful and ever active
aristocracy, will prevent all peaceable measures for changes, unless
when they shall discover some favorable moment to increase their own
influence. I am sensible, thousands of men in the United States, are
disposed to adopt the proposed constitution, though they perceive it
to be essentially defective, under an idea that amendment of it, may
be obtained when necessary. This is a pernicious idea, it argues a ser-
vility of character totally unfit for the support of free government; it is
very repugnant to that perpetual jealousy respecting liberty, so abso-
lutely necessary in all free states, spoken of by Mr. Dickinson.24-How-
ever, if our countrymen are so soon changed, and the language of 1774,
is become odious to them, it will be in vain to use the language of
freedom, or to attempt to rouse them to free enquiries: But I shall
never believe this is the case with them, whatever present appearances
may be, till I shall have very strong evidence indeed of it.
LETTER V.
OCTOBER 13th, 1787.
DEAR SIR, Thus I have examined the federal constitution as far as a
few days leisure would permit. It opens to my mind a new scene; instead
of seeing powers cautiously lodged in the hands of numerous legisla-
tors, and many magistrates, we see all important powers collecting in
one centre, where a few men will possess them almost at discretion.

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