The Federalist No. 6

by Allison Jones

In this letter, published 14 November 1787, Alexander Hamilton takes over the argument for unity from John Jay.  In this and the next paper Hamilton focuses on the dangers presented by conflict between states that are not united by a common government.

“A man must be far gone in Utopian speculations who can seriously doubt, that if these States should either be wholly disunited, or only united in partial confederacies, the subdivisions into which they might be thrown would have frequent and violent contest with each other.” Hamilton shows that it is dangerous to ignore the natural character of most human beings.  Most humans are prone to pride and all the combative behaviors stemming from it.

Just because America is a republic does not somehow excuse its leaders from avarice or desire for power.  Those in power often “abused the confidence they possessed; and assuming the pretext of some public motive, have not scrupled to sacrifice the national tranquility to personal advantage, or personal gratification.”

History has many examples of republics that readily wage war for conquest or personal grievance.  Rome conquered much of the known world before it became ruled by an emperor.  Athens, Sparta, and Carthage were all republics and still warred with their neighbors for power, commercial or political.  

There is no reason to believe that Americans are somehow exempt from moral frailties.  “Have we not already seen enough of the fallacy and extravagance of those idle theories which have amused us with promises of an exemption from the imperfections, weaknesses and evils incident to society in every shape?”  There had even been problems either within or between the states under the Articles of Confederation.

“But notwithstanding the concurring testimony of experience, in this particular, there are still to be found visionary, or designing men, who stand ready to advocate the paradox of perpetual peace between the States, though dismembered and alienated from each other.”

No matter the high ideals of a society, its people are still normal humans and if they do not take special care, they will allow personal biases and interests to cloud their judgment.  “Has it not… invariably been found, that momentary passions and immediate interests have a more active and imperious control over human conduct than general or remote considerations of policy, utility or justice?”  When forming a government, one must not ignore human nature.