The Anti-Federalists by Jackson Main, 1961, Edited Excerpts
The
Antifederalists were well aware that there were many men that were skeptical of
the common man’s judgment to have any faith in a democratic system. They
preferred an aristocracy – that is, government by the better sort of people,
meaning themselves. If the new government favored the well-to-do, as some
Antifederalists maintained, this was hardly an objection to those who were of
the “better sort” themselves. The well-to-do might dislike an aristocracy in
theory, but in practice, rule by the educated, well-bred, wellborn few was
appealing.
Antifederalists
viewed a strong national government as a threat to liberty. The attempt to
strengthen the central government was identical with the attempt to solidify
upper class rule, and this they opposed. From this standpoint a vital part of
the proposed structure of power to be erected by the Constitution was section
eight of the first Article, which endowed Congress with the powers once held by
the state. This section was studded with such ominous words as “taxes,”
“general welfare,” “commerce,” “Armies,” “necessary and proper.” Of them all,
it was the first which attracted the most attention.
French Minister to the United States, Louis Otto, observed that the people were aware that an increase of power in the central government would mean a “regular collection of taxes, a strict administration of justice, extraordinary duties on imports, and rigorous executions against debtors – in short, a marked preponderance of rich men and of large proprietors.”
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