Earlier threads:
FReeper Book Club: The Debate over the Constitution
5 Oct 1787, Centinel #1
6 Oct 1787, James Wilson’s Speech at the State House
8 Oct 1787, Federal Farmer #1
9 Oct 1787, Federal Farmer #2
18 Oct 1787, Brutus #1
22 Oct 1787, John DeWitt #1
27 Oct 1787, John DeWitt #2
27 Oct 1787, Federalist #1
31 Oct 1787, Federalist #2
3 Nov 1787, Federalist #3
Does anyone think there has ever been a discussion at the DailyKos concerning the Federalist papers or debates on the Constitution?
And perhaps at his political naivete. His logic is compelling to those who study history but, as we know, logic does not always carry the day. Zeal is often as much or more of an influence on political movements as any logical argument. Unless a logical argument is able to impassion its audience, it will remain only for posterity.
9 It has many zealous advocates, and they have attempted, at least as far as their modesty would permit, to monopolize our gazettes with their encomiums upon it.
10 With the people they have to manage, I would hint to them, their zeal is not their best weapon, and exertions of such a kind, artful attempts to seize the moment, do seldom tend either to elucidate and explain principles or ensure success.
He certainly understands zeal and its effects but his morality and perhaps lack of political savvy prohibit him from using it.
The bottom line is that people, being human, are not always compelled by logic.
3) “The freedom of the press has, in consequence thereof, been esteemed one of its safeguards.”
Of all the woe's that DeWitt anticipated he failed to anticipate that one perspective would capture and dominate political thought for 60 years. Even as late at the Civil War..publishers/papers were clearly slanted but they made no pretense of their bias.
24)It is declared to be constructed for national purposes only and not calculated to interfere with domestic concerns.
Nothing but raucous laughter here.
31)”Your consent is requested because it is essential to the introduction of it; after having received confirmation, your complaints may increase the whistling of the wind, and they will be equally regarded. “
Consent of the governed seems to be anachronism.
32-35) “ It cannot be doubted at this day by any men of common sense that there is a charm in politics. That persons who enter reluctantly into office become [habituated], grow fond of it and are loath to resign it.
They feel themselves flattered and elevated, and are apt to forget their constituents until the time returns that they again feel the want of them. They uniformly exercise all the powers granted to them, and ninety-nine in a hundred are for grasping at more.”
Need I mention the Kennedy seat.
One of the failings of the constitution was it's lack of term limits...Obvious from these writings the founders anticipated the rise of a permanent political class but they failed to act on these concerns.
45)”This length of time will be amply sufficient of itself to remove any checks that he may have upon his [independence] from the fear of a future election. “
Reference remarks 32-35
98)”[Entrust] it to men, subject to the same unbounded passions and infirmities as yourselves, possessed with an insatiable thirst for power, and many of them carrying in them vices, [though tinseled] and concealed, yet in themselves not less dangerous than those more naked and exposed. “
One of the other failings of the constitution was allowing a group of men...to exempt themselves from the laws that they saddle the rest of us with.
Nah, ya think? lol