The Lessons of The Federalist
On Saturday, October 27, 1787, the first of eighty-five essays under the pseudonym “Publius” appeared in the New York Independent Journal. Written by New Yorker Alexander Hamilton, the purpose of the essay was, of course, to introduce the other essays that would follow in the series. At the time, however, New York was sharply divided between Federalists—those who supported the Constitution framed in the Philadelphia State House—and Anti-Federalists—opponents who saw the Constitution as “an iron-handed despotism.”
Truth be told, New York leaned more Anti-Federalist than Federalist; Hamilton knew that ratification would be both toilsome and exigent. Thus, Publius and The Federalist—as the essays were later entitled and published—were primarily concerned with convincing New Yorkers to ratify a document that Hamilton assured was “the safest course for your liberty, your dignity, and your happiness.”
Either New York joined in ratification, Hamilton stressed, or the “dismemberment of the Union” would follow. Ultimately, New York did ratify the Constitution—on July 26, 1788—but by a narrow convention vote of 30–27, the closest margin in any state.
Written principally by Hamilton and James Madison (along with a few contributions by John Jay), The Federalist remains the greatest expression of American political theory. To Thomas Jefferson, the essays are “the best commentary on the principles of government [ever written].”
If The Federalist resembles a Doric portico, then three basic principles serve as indispensable supporting columns, and they are expressed early on: reflection and choice, the necessity and utility of the Union, and the improved “science of politics.”
A keen student of history, Hamilton saw the ratification of the Constitution as an auspicious thing because it would result from purposeful deliberation rather than force—the latter being the historical rule rather than the exception. Americans were left to “decide the important question”: whether people are capable of “establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.”
The Constitution, George Washington recalled in 1796, is “the offspring of our own choice uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full investigation and mature deliberation, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, uniting security with energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a just claim to your confidence and support.” The “basis” of America’s “political systems,” Washington said, was the people.
Of the Union, Publius wrote, “Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people—a people… attached to the same principles of government… who… have nobly established general liberty and independence.” Clearly, a “strong sense of the value and blessings of Union induced the people… to institute a federal government to preserve and perpetuate [unity].”
The Union, Publius wrote, provides “the best security” from foreign and domestic “hostilities.” No other organization of the states could ever “promote the greatness or happiness of the people of America.”
The Union, Washington said, “ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other.” Thus, “the continuance of the Union” should be “a primary object of patriotic desire”; there must be “an immediate and particular interest” in preserving “the efficacy and permanency of your Union.”
Lastly, Publius argues that the Constitution results from an improved “science of politics.” Like other sciences, the “efficacy of various principles is now well understood,” such as the separation of powers, checks and balances, the independent judiciary, representative democracy, and the enlarged orbit of federal government.
“It may be a reflection on human nature that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government,” Publius wrote. “But what is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
Ultimately, The Federalist conveys foundational truths—about ourselves and the just organization of politics. The Declaration expressed “self-evident truths” about natural law, natural rights, and the purpose of government. The Constitution was ordained by “the people” to “secure the blessings of liberty.” The Federalist, then and now, continues to teach us how those blessings are best secured.