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Pamphlets on the Constitution
GunShowontheNet has uncovered a collection of articles and pamphlets written during the ratification period.
I find one by Tench Coxe interesting (if only because I knew of his other writings, but not of this one): "If a time of public contention shall hereafter arrive, [18] the firm and ardent friends to liberty may know the length to which they can push their noble opposition, on the foundation of the laws. Should their country's cause impel them further, they will be acquainted with the hazard, and using those arms which Providence has put into their hands, will make a solemn appeal to “the power above.”"
"The militia, who are in fact the effective part of the people at large, will render many troops quite unnecessary. They will form a powerful check upon the regular troops, and will generally be sufficient to over-awe them..."
He also notes that Madison himself praised the article.
And here's one by Alexander Contee Hanson, who sat in the Md. state convention. "If indeed it be possible in the nature of things, that congress shall, at any future period, alarm us by an improper augmentation of troops, could we not, in that case, depend on the militia, which is ourselves. In such a case it would be ridiculous to urge that the federal government, is invested with a power over the whole militia of the union Even when congress shall exercise this power, on the most proper occasions, it is provided in the constitution, that each state shall officer and train its own militia."
Comments
Good stuff.
Posted by: Glenn B at August 28, 2007 06:38 PM