Why the Constitution Will Prevent Suppression - Federalist #27
In Federalist #27 Alexander Hamilton discusses why he believes the Constitution would require a smaller Standing Army to enforce its laws than the Articles of Confederation.
Federalist #27
December 25, 1787
Alexander Hamilton
By The People
Alexander Hamilton devotes Federalist #27 to a common fear of his contemporaries that the National Government will rely on a large military to compel obedience.
Hamilton does not use this Paper to discuss the need for an army. Instead, he attempts to dispel the fear of a powerful National Government.
Hamilton argues that by investing the power to choose Legislators directly in the people, they will have more faith in the Government and, therefore, not need to be forced into compliance. Rather, he assumes, the people will support their chosen leaders.
Contradicting Ideas
Interestingly, Hamilton also argues that the people will not try to throw off the Federal Government as it would be too large and attempts to do so would seem impossible.
This point seems to be the opposite of his first.
He is basically saying ‘The people don’t need to fear a powerful Government because they choose the leaders, but if they don’t like the Government they should be afraid of it because it is too powerful.’ I’m paraphrasing, of course, but Alexander’s contradicting sentiment is the same.
Supreme Law of the Land
Hamilton goes on to imply that, under the Articles of Confederation, the system would need to resort to inter-State violence to demand one State go along with the others.
Meanwhile, under the Constitution, the Federal Government would be the supreme law of the land. Therefore, noncompliance would only need to be enforced on an individual level.
This system, from Hamilton’s perspective, would actually reduce the need for the army to suppress sedition. From this idea, Alexander predicts that the army under the Constitution should be less concerning for citizens than under the Articles.
Follow this site to read about another Founder tomorrow!
Until then, check out these articles on Founders who considered themselves Federalists:
Peleg Arnold - The Rare Rhode Island Federalist
Mercy Otis Warren Scribbles Her Way Into History
Theophilus Parsons Forms the Essex Junto
Want to read a fun book about Alexander Hamilton?
‘Hamilton’s Guide to Life’ is a bit silly and less serious than what I usually recommend, but we like to have fun here. This is an easy read that is more about his character traits than his life story.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same) but be warned, it is very rare and therefore expensive.
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