In the 1700s, before the US Constitution was adopted, there was a fierce debate in the newspapers. Should this new Constitution be adopted or not?
Three writers joined together to encourage the people to accept the new Constitution. They called their collected writings, “The Federalist Papers.”
Another group of writers joined together to urge the people to be cautious about accepting the new Constitution. Their writings are called, “The Anti-Federalist Papers.”
Anti-Federalist Paper No 1: Crazy Constitution People by Anonymous
I’m glad that people are finally questioning the Constitution. If the Constitution is a good idea then it should hold up to debate. The people have a right to judge it.
At first a lot of people supported the new Constitution because they saw influential people supporting it. Now, the light of intelligence is shining down on this important document. The people were blinded by Constitution supporters who wanted the document accepted for personal reasons, but now the people are opening their eyes. The document will be examined.
These leaders want to cram the document down the throats of the people without giving the people time to look it over. They’re acting just like those who want to put up a king in America. They’re crying out for a strong government. They don’t care if they get a dystopian police state as long as it can be called strong. Now they come forward with this strong government plan and demand for us to accept it.
They label everyone who isn’t as excited about their plan as they are. “Take it all or take nothing,” they cry. But why can’t we change the bad parts of it before accepting it? They are probably just scared that we will make the document less “strong.”
They are trying to shut everyone up and make everyone accept it at once without examining it. If anyone finds something wrong with the Constitution, they say, “You’re an anarchist,” or, “You’re in with the current government, and you’re scared you will lose power.”
These leaders are hurting their cause and endangering our community by stopping a necessary debate. The American people might even think the whole Constitution is dangerous when they see people being tricky and trying to force it on them like this.
Forced or tricky attempts to establish a government will make people in a free country mad. It’s better to leave things like they are than to blindly accept something because a few people tell you to, no matter how wise those people may be.
It’s better to be a free citizen of the little country of Massachusetts than to be an oppressed subject of the great American empire. Let’s either research and know and act, or not act at all. If we join our state governments together and keep our liberties that would be good because we will be safer. If this Constitution is good, let’s accept it. If this Constitution would make us less free, let’s change it. To do that we will need to examine it and debate it.
But such a flood of insults has been thrown on the heads of people who question the Constitution that it might be a good idea to question the morality of the Constitution’s biggest supporters. These violent and biased individuals want to have the people gulp down a sugar coated pill without seeing it and without asking any questions at all. Most of these individuals are important people — rich people, people who hope to be politicians, bankers, and lawyers.
The lawyers especially keep making speeches in favor of the Constitution because they think they will make money off of it. They are greedy. They know that this Constitution will institute a large number of new courts which will employ lawyers. This will be good for the lawyers. But will it be good for the people?
We need to make sure that we don’t elect many lawyers to the State Convention so that what is decided is in the best interest of the people. It will soon be time for the election of the delegates. I hope my fellow-citizens will remember the Patriots of 1776 who have never led them astray and who can be trusted at this important time.
A Federalist
Direct Quotes from Anti-Federalist Paper No. 1
“The PEOPLE are the grand inquest who have a RIGHT to judge of its merits.”
“Their menacing cry is for a RIGID government, it matters little to them of what kind, provided it answers THAT description.”
“Compulsive or treacherous measures to establish any government whatever, will always excite jealousy among a free people: better remain single and alone, than blindly adopt whatever a few individuals shall demand, be they ever so wise. I had rather be a free citizen of the small republic of Massachusetts, than an oppressed subject of the great American empire.”
Questions to Consider
What is the author’s main concern about the Constitution’s adoption?
Why is it important to listen to both sides of a debate instead of just following the opinions of influential or wise people?