What the Anti-Federalists Were For: The Political Thought of the Opponents of the ConstitutionThe Anti-Federalists, in Herbert J. Storing's view, are somewhat paradoxically entitled to be counted among the Founding Fathers and to share in the honor and study devoted to the founding. "If the foundations of the American polity was laid by the Federalists," he writes, "the Anti-Federalist reservations echo through American history; and it is in the dialogue, not merely in the Federalist victory, that the country's principles are to be discovered." It was largely through their efforts, he reminds us, that the Constitution was so quickly amended to include a bill of rights. Storing here offers a brilliant introduction to the thought and principles of the Anti-Federalists as they were understood by themselves and by other men and women of their time. His comprehensive exposition restores to our understanding the Anti-Federalist share in the founding its effect on some of the enduring themes and tensions of American political life. The concern with big government and infringement of personal liberty one finds in the writings of these neglected Founders strikes a remarkably timely note. |
Contents
| 3 | |
| 7 | |
3 The Small Republic | 15 |
4 Union | 24 |
5 The Federalist Reply | 38 |
6 The Aristocratic Tendency of the Constitution | 48 |
7 Complex Government | 53 |
8 Bill of Rights | 64 |
9 Conclusion | 71 |
Works Frequently Cited | 77 |
Notes | 79 |
Appendix | 101 |
Index | 107 |
Other editions - View all
What the Anti-Federalists Were For: The Political Thought of the Opponents ... Herbert J. Storing No preview available - 1981 |
Common terms and phrases
Agrippa American Anti Anti-Federal Anti-Federalists saw Anti-Federalists thought argued aristocratic Articles of Confederation balanced government bill of rights Brutus Cato Centinel checks citizens civil Columbian Patriot common Congress contended danger debate democracy democratic depends Elliot Elliot II Essays executive Farrand Federal Farmer federal government Federalist argument Ford fundamental granted Hamilton ibid Impartial Examiner individual liberty interests James Madison James Wilson Jensen John Adams June large republic laws legislative legislature Letters Luther Martin Maryland Massachusetts McMaster and Stone Melancton Smith ment Monroe moral national government natural necessary Noah Webster November object Old Whig Pamphlets Patrick Henry Pennsylvania Philadelphia Convention Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer Philadelphiensis political popular government preserve principles proposed Constitution ratifying convention reason representation representatives republican republican government Richard Henry Lee rulers secure Senate simple government small republic Smith sovereignty tion tyranny Union United Virginia Independent Chronicle volume Warren Whig York Journal