Unlimited Nation Debt and Standing Armies - Brutus VIII
Brutus VIII is an Anti-Federalist Paper that elaborates on concerns regarding the Constitution’s ability to raise standing armies and take on a national debt.
“...they may create a national debt, so large, as to exceed the ability of the country ever to sink.”
Brutus VIII
January 10, 1788
In Brutus VIII, the anonymous Anti-Federalist writer finally leaves behind the discussion of taxes and moves on to the power of the US Government under the Constitution to borrow money and raise a standing army.
Yet again he references the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution to elaborate on his fears that the lack of restrictions on these tools can be dangerous.
National Debt
Brutus begins by attacking the Constitution's unlimited ability to take out loans.
He points out that the Government could mortgage all of the revenue of the nation to collect as much financial support as possible.
This could lead to a national debt that exceeds the actual value held by the United States and lead to bankruptcy and generations of citizens stuck paying off the debts of their ancestors.
Standing Armies
Brutus spends most of Essay VIII focusing on standing armies.
He notes the lack of specifics in the Constitution means that the Government could easily use conscription to absorb people into the army.
He uses a quote from William Pulteney (a British politician who was prominent about 50 years earlier) to demonstrate many of the fears of a standing army, including the fact that they are trained specifically to obey orders and follow their own legal code separate from that of the general population.
This, Brutus explains, makes them much more dangerous than locally organized militias.
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