Publius begins by asking Americans to consider the newly written constitution from the convention in Philadelphia. After the experience of an ineffectual and inefficient federal government under the Articles of Confederation, Publius calls on his audience to necessarily consider this new constitution for the preservation of the Union. It is left to the people of the Nation, as it has always been, to deliberate this new government which the Convention had placed before them. “…it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country…to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really 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.”[1] The question of the ratification of the new constitution lay before the people of America, and if America were to make the wrong choice, it may be seen as “the general misfortune of mankind.”[2]
Publius warns Americans that there may be individuals who are opposed to the new constitution because they are in positions of power, and do not wish to limit their existing power, or those who wish to see a weak central government. He calls on Americans to deliberate and weigh this new document with unbiased reasoning for the common good and for the preservation of the Union. He also warns that “a torrent of angry malignant passions will be let loose.”[3] Much of this passion may come from a love for America, from errors within their understanding of the Constitution, as well as a fear of beginning anew. “It will be equally forgotten that the vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty” and that “History will teach us that [dangerous ambition] has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than [a zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government], and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying obsequious court to the people, commencing demagogues and ending tyrants.”[4]
After warning of those who speak against the new Constitution and warning them about what may occur if it is not passed, Publius then tells his audience truthfully that he believes that they ought to adopt this new constitution, He openly tells the audience that he truly feels this is the right path for America. He openly says this, adding that he will be straightforward about his feelings from the start and that anyone who disagrees will be able to critique his arguments. “My arguments will be open to all and may be judged by all. They shall at least be offered in a spirit which will not disgrace the cause of truth.”[5]
Publius then outlines the topics of the articles that he will write:
- The utility of the Union to your political prosperity.
- The insufficiency of the present Confederation to preserve that Union.
- The necessity of a government at least equally energetic with the one proposed, to the attainment of this object.
- The conformity of the proposed Constitution to the true principles of republican government.
- Its analogy to your own State constitution.
- The additional security which its adoption will afford to the preservation of that species of government, to liberty, and to property.[6]
Publius also states that along with the points he outlined, the articles will also cover arguments from those opposed to the new constitution along the way.
Hamilton or “Publius” ends this first article by discussing the rumor that there is no way one federal government can form a Union among these States and varied regions of America. So, the first argument to be addressed is the necessity of a Union of States “for nothing can be more evident to those who are able to make an enlarged view of the subject than the alternative of an adoption of the new Constitution or a dismemberment of the Union.”[7] It is with this subject that Publius begins article two.
[1] Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay. The Federalist Papers. Ed. Rossiter, Clinton and Intro. Kesler, Charles R (New York: Signet Classic, 1999), p. 27.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid, p. 29.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid, p. 30.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid, p. 31.
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