Federal Farmer VI - Pretend Federalists
In Federal Farmer VI, the Anti-Federalist Farmer returns after a lengthy hiatus to give a general (if somewhat rambling) review of the Constitution and the problems of ratification.
Federal Farmer VI
December 25, 1787
In Federal Farmer VI, the Anti-Federalist Farmer returns after a lengthy hiatus to give a general (if somewhat rambling) review of the Constitution and the problems of ratification.
He acknowledges that, by this time, three States had ratified the Constitution and begins to more heavily promote the idea of Amendments.
Pretend Federalists
The Federal Farmer spends time in the Paper discussing the parties involved with the debates.
He says that many of the most vocal advocates for ratification are ‘pretend’ Federalists who actually want one unified national government.
Furthermore, on the other hand, he believes that many of the loudest opponents of the Constitution are also ‘pretend’ Federalists who don’t want any association between the States.
He clarifies that most citizens are somewhere in the middle, who know that there are risks in acting too hastily just as there are risks in not acting at all.
Constitutional Rights
The Farmer then spends a good deal of time recounting his earlier arguments against the Constitution, followed by a focus on rights.
He believes it is not enough to just leave the people with natural rights, but they should also be granted Constitutional rights to protect them from the evils of mankind.
The Paper then closes with a lengthy (though somewhat out of place) review of the differences between the State Governments.
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