888 words • Consolidated Government • November 23, 1787
THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE.
(Number 38^)
Friday, November 23, 17S7.
For the Massachusetts Gazette.
To THE People.
Many inconveniences and difficulties in the new plan of gov- ernment have been mentioned by different writers on that subject. Mr. Gerry has given the publick his objections against it, with a manly freedom.* The seceding members from the Pennsylvania Assembly also published theirs.f Various anonymous writers have mentioned reasons of great weight. Among the many objec- tions have been stated the unlimited right of taxation — a standing army — an inadequate representation of the people — a right to de- stroy the constitution of the separate states, and all the barriers that have been set up in defence of liberty — the right to try causes between private persons in many cases without a jury ; without trying in the vicinity of either party; and without any limitation of the value which is to be tried. To none of these or any other objections has any answer been given, but such as have acknowledged the truth of the objection while they insulted the objector. This conduct has much the appearance of trying to force a general sentiment upon the people.
The idea of promoting the happiness of the people by opposing
* Printed in Elliot, I, ^<)2.—E,i.
f " An Address of the subscriliers, meiiil>ers of tlie Lite Houses of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to their constituents," printed in the Pennsyl- vania Packet, Oct. 4, I7S7. — Ed.
(53)
54 LETTERS
OF
ARGIPPA.
all their habits of business, and by subverting the laws to which they are habituated, appears to me to be at least a mistaken pro- ceeding. If to this we add the limitations of trade, restraints on its freedom, and the alteration of its course, and transfer of the market, all under the pretence of regulation iox federal purposes, we shall not find any additional reason to be pleased with the plan.
It is now conceded on all sides that the laws relating to civil causes were never better executed than at present. It is con- fessed by a warm federalist in answer to Mr. Gerry's sensible letter, that the courts are so arranged at present that no incon- venience is found, and that if the new plan takes place great diffi- culties may arise. With this confession before him, can any reasonable man doubt whether he shall exchange a system, found by experience to be convenient, for one that is in many respects inconvenient and dangerous ? The expense of the new plan is terrifying, if there was no other objection. But they are multi- plied.
Let us consider that of the representation.
There is to be one representative for every thirty thousand people. Boston would nearly send one, but with regard to an- other there is hardly a county in the state which would have one. The representatives are to be chosen for two years. In this space, when it is considered that their residence is from two hundred to five hundred miles from their constituents, it is diffi- cult to suppose that they will retain any great affection for the welfare of the people. They will have an army to support them, and may bid defiance to the clamours of their subjects. Should the people cry aloud the representative may avail himself of the right to alter the time of election and postpone it for another year. In truth, the question before the people is, whether they ivill have a limited government or an absolute ofie ?
It is a fact justified by the experience of all mankind from the earliest antiquity doAvn to the present time, that freedom is neces- sary to industry. We accordingly find that in absolute govern- ments, the people, be the climate what it may, are general [sic] lazy, cowardly, turbulent, and vicious to an extreme. On the other hand, in free countries are found in general, activity, indus- try, arts, courage, generosity, and all the manly virtues.
LETTF.RS
OF
AGKIl'PA. 55
Can there be any doubt wliich to choose? He tli.it Hesitates must be base indeed.
A favourite objection against a free c^overnmcnt is drawn from the irregularities of the Greek and Roman rcpublicks. But it is to be considered that war was the employment which they con- sidered as most becoming freemen. Agriculture, arts, and most domestick employment were committed chiefly to slaves. But Carthage, the great commercial republick of antiquity, though resembling Rome in the form of its government, and her rival for power, retained her freedom longer than Rome, and was never disturbed by sedition during the long period of her duration. This is a striking proof that the fiult of the Greek and Roman republicks was not owing to the form of their government, and that the spirit of commerce is the great bond of union among citizens. This furnishes employment for their activity, supplies their mutual wants, defends the rights of property, and producing reciprocal dependencies, renders the whole system harmonious and energetick. Our great object therefore ought to be to en- courage this spirit. If we examine the present state of the world we shall find that most of the business is done in the freest states, and that industry decreases in proportion to the rigour of gov- ernment.
Agrippa.
Federalist Response