[Publius]

Ping! The thread has been posted.

Earlier threads:

FReeper Book Club: The Debate over the Constitution
5 Oct 1787, Centinel #1
6 Oct 1787, James Wilson’s Speech at the State House
8 Oct 1787, Federal Farmer #1
9 Oct 1787, Federal Farmer #2
18 Oct 1787, Brutus #1
22 Oct 1787, John DeWitt #1
27 Oct 1787, John DeWitt #2
27 Oct 1787, Federalist #1
31 Oct 1787, Federalist #2
3 Nov 1787, Federalist #3
5 Nov 1787, John DeWitt #3
7 Nov 1787, Federalist #4
10 Nov 1787, Federalist #5
14 Nov 1787, Federalist #6
15 Nov 1787, Federalist #7
20 Nov 1787, Federalist #8
21 Nov 1787, Federalist #9
23 Nov 1787, Federalist #10
24 Nov 1787, Federalist #11
27 Nov 1787, Federalist #12
27 Nov 1787, Cato #5
28 Nov 1787, Federalist #13
29 Nov 1787, Brutus #4
30 Nov 1787, Federalist #14
1 Dec 1787, Federalist #15
4 Dec 1787, Federalist #16
5 Dec 1787, Federalist #17
7 Dec 1787, Federalist #18
8 Dec 1787, Federalist #19
11 Dec 1787, Federalist #20
12 Dec 1787, Federalist #21
14 Dec 1787, Federalist #22
18 Dec 1787, Federalist #23
18 Dec 1787, Address of the Pennsylvania Minority
19 Dec 1787, Federalist #24
21 Dec 1787, Federalist #25
22 Dec 1787, Federalist #26
25 Dec 1787, Federalist #27
26 Dec 1787, Federalist #28

[Jacquerie]

I have, in my former papers, offered a variety of arguments to prove, that a simple free government could not be exercised over this whole continent, and that therefore we must either give up our liberties and submit to an arbitrary one, or frame a constitution on the plan of confederation.

Our Framers relied heavily on the political philosophers Montesquieu, Blackstone, Locke. Montesquieu and Blackstone wrote extensively on the division of powers as necessary to the preservation of liberty. That is why the Articles of Anarchy could not be improved, for to give thirteen members of Congress legislative, executive and judicial authority along with powers of enforcement which would be the very definition of tyranny.

[Jacquerie]

Brutus’ primary concerns center around the state governments, their prerogatives and power, not the goal of government, “to provide for the common defense and general welfare” of the people. The Framers did not originate this term. It was common in the states’ colonial charters and constitutions written in 1776-77.

[Huck]

FR running low all day bump for later

[Jacquerie]

46 This power, exercised without limitation, will introduce itself into every comer of the city and country

So it will wait upon ladies at their toilette, accompany them to the ball, the play and the assembly, church, every home, cellar, kitchen, bedroom, all of a man's drinks, a constant companion to all, upon every head. . . . Sheesh.

A common tactic of the demagogue is to whip the populace into a froth over imaginary evils. Yates was a skilled lawyer and NY Supreme Court judge. He knew exactly what he was doing.

“Let the smaller colonies have equal money and equal men and then let them have an equal vote . . . If they have an equal vote without bearing equal burdens, a confederation upon such an iniquitous base will never last long.” Ben Franklin

[Huck]

Brutus makes some decent points, but he makes them more effectively later. His best arguments are irrefutable. Like his critique here of the flabby language of the Constitution.

[TASMANIANRED]

Excessive taxation...what an idea.

[Huck]

most likely Judge Robert Yates of New York

Thanks for the qualifier, by the way. It's the only accurate way to put it--no one knows with 100% certainty. I happen to think it was someone else.