[Political Junkie Too]

He was also afraid that the smaller states would form their own armies to put them on "equality" with the larger states, and that that would trigger an arms race between the states as they would all form their own armies. He said that those armies were the typical instruments of eventual despotism.

-PJ

[ought-six]

” He said that those armies were the typical instruments of eventual despotism.”

Yes; he said standing armies in general were the “typical instruments” of depotism. Yet, he later embraced the idea of a strong national defense, which necessarily implied a standing professional army. He was a staunch federalist, as opposed to Jefferson, who was an anti-federalist.

Hamilton was a man of contradictions. Yet, when he believed strongly in something, he was unwavering. Which probably accounted for his decision to duel Burr, which turned out to be a fatal decision.