Hamilton On Constitutionalism

1. What was the primary subject that was addressed in the paper?
The author explained that the Constitution of America did not include a Bill of Rights. He takes notice to the obvious objections to this issue and pointed out that several state constitutions do not contain a bills of rights, including New York. He stated explicitly in this essay that a Bill of Rights was not only unnecessary to the proposed constitution, "but would even be dangerous"(Hamilton 84). He went on to conclude that the seat of the national government would be distant from most parts of the country, because of America’s large size. It would be difficult for citizens to keep track of what was going on. It would be hard to check up on their representatives and would
How did the writer promote the idea of constitutionalism and a new government? Hamilton was almost completely constitutional in his ideas for the new government. He believed that all the rights said in the Constitution would be restated in the Bill of Rights, therefore no need to create another document. On another point, it was being argued that the establishment of a national government would entail additional expense and higher taxes. Hamilton was scared of forming a national government, because Americans wouldn't be included in it and would have to pay higher taxes. It was his fear that the United States would become a monarchy, like the one they just gained freedom from. He made a point that the Bill of Rights is something that is created between a king and his subjects.
3. Based on the content of this paper- what will be the new government- better address? Hamilton would want there to be many state constitutions instead of a national constitution, so citizens can be closer to their government, allowing for input. The taxes would be less expensive, because you are only paying for your state, and there wouldn't be one central ruling, it would be ruled by the people and for the
They would contain various exceptions to powers not granted; and, on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do?”
5. Do the arguments given by the author still hold true today, or are they less applicable? Explain. Hamilton argues the idea that the new Constitution shouldn’t have a Bill of Rights, which is still a very active part of our government and freedoms. It was amended by the majority of ⅔ Congress and a ¾ majority of State Legislatures. The Bill of Rights protects the right we have as Americans. Hamilton strongly believed that the Constitution and the Preamble was enough to declare American’s rights. His arguments are less applicable today, because of the freedoms that are guaranteed by it. Amendment 1 being the most important. While people can still analyze his work, and get another view on it, the Bill of Rights is too important to take Hamilton’s side. One concept adapted from Hamilton are State Constitutions, a primary code of law in modern