Page 94 - Beers With Our Founding Fathers

Beers with our Founding Fathers

colonies “…are, and of right ought to be, free and independent

states.” These key figures of opposition to the proposed new
government had arguments that resonated. These included the

questions of democracy or republic – the former being direct votes
by the people, and the latter being votes by representatives of the

people (electoral college) and the issue of slavery in a nation
founded on individual liberties. The issue of the protection of

individual rights would be later addressed in the Bill of Rights as part
of the negotiations to ratify the Constitution.

There were agreements being between the authors and their
papers – such as a national government was necessary. It was the

strength of the national government that was addressed. In Anti-
Federalist Paper Number Three provided that, “If the body of the

people will not govern themselves, and govern themselves well too,
the consequence is unavoidable -- a FEW will, and must govern

them. Then it is that government becomes truly a government by
force only, where men relinquish part of their natural rights to secure

the rest, instead of an union of will and force, to protect all their
natural rights, which ought to be the foundation of every rightful

social compact.” Is this the current direction of our Country?
Federalist Paper Number Ten was specifically cited, as were

several other issues. It was argued, in the corresponding Anti-
Federalist Paper, that a national government stronger than the

individual states would threaten individual rights, lead to tyranny,

and even the central leader (president) becoming king. Is this the
direction of our Country today? Also opposed was a central court
system – one that would have the final say and judicial control of all

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