The Federalist No. 1

Alexander Hamilton, the instigator of the project, wrote and submitted the first letter published October 27, 1787.  It served as an introduction to the rest of the letters from “Publius”.

Hamilton first impressed on his audience the importance of the decision to accept or reject the new constitution, saying, “it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country … to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not, of establishing good government from reflection and choice”.

He asserts that the Articles of Confederation that formed that basis of their current government were not able to produce an efficient government.  That they needed a stronger central government or the country would fall apart.  “The vigour of government is essential to the security of liberty.”

While stating that those will designs on power or profit provided by the then current system would fight against ratifying the Constitution, he admits that most people would not have ulterior motives, merely being biased.

What follows is a plea for civility and discussion of political discourse that is still applicable today. 

“We upon many occasions, see wise and good men on the wrong as well as on the right side of questions,” Hamilton says, continuing to say that those with impure motivations are also present on both sides of arguments.  This is something we would do well to remember today as those on opposing sides are often demonized in the media when usually they mean well, even if one does not agree with methods or results.  “Heresies... can rarely be cured by persecution.”

Hamilton calls for the use of reason instead of emotion in deciding political questions, calling attention to the history of tyrants courting public support before seizing absolute power.  It is rarely logic that gets such responses from the public. 

“I have had an eye, my Fellow Citizens, to putting you upon your guard against all attempts, from whatever quarter, to influence your decision in a matter of the utmost moment to your welfare by any impressions other than those which may result from the evidence of truth.” 

No side is justified in using improper methods to sway the public in its direction.  The founders were men of high ideals, which we could benefit from living up to.  Imagine a campaign where none of the candidates fought dirty or used emotional manipulation.

After completing his reasoning for a civil discussion based on facts and reason, Hamilton enumerates the purposes that will be address in the series of letters to follow.

1. To show why union is better politically than facing the world as individual states.
2. To show why the Articles of Confederation were insufficient to preserve union.
3. To show that they needed a government powerful enough to succeed in keeping the states united.
4. To show that the Constitution was in line with the priciples of republican government.
5. To show that it wasn't that different from the constitutions already governing the individual states.
6. To show that adopting the Constitution would provide more security to preserve their republican mode of government, their liberty, and their property.

Each of the following letters will fall under one or more of these topics, starting with the necessity of Union in the next.