“Anything not specifically excluded by the document, or contrary to its spirit, and which is pursuant to the exercise of enumerated powers is constitutional”
What’s this “spirit” mumbo-jumbo? It’s the letter that matters, as understood at the time. And no, it is not whatever’s “pursuant.” Nice Hamiltonian trick. It’s whatever’s necessary.
“He was not a monarchist in any sense”
Except in the sense he wanted the president to be a monarch.
Actually the words used in any document do not keep the same meanings as time goes on. Read a little Shakespeare. The meanings of the words in the Bible has produced millions of books arguing over what they mean. Hundreds of sects with differing interpretations have arisen in the last two millenia, each believing their interpretation is correct. NO one, however, understood what the constitution said and meant better than Hamilton. NO one.
While is it pleasant to believe that the words can interpret themselves, it is naive at best. But as is typical your alarm can only come about by ignoring the meaning of the last phrase “...contrary to the spirit.” One cannot make up just anything and claim that is what the document means. It cannot contradict the letter of the law or be contrary to the belief system which produced it.
Hamilton never wanted a monarch, he was one of the greatest enemies the King ever had. What he DID say was that the President’s role in our government was LIKE a monarch in that he was the executive and primarily concerned with the National interest. Our government was established with the House playing the role of the House of Commons, the Senate the counterpart of the House of Lords and the President the counterpart of the King.
Hamilton’s writings make clear that he believed the American temper was unalterably opposed to Monarchy.
It is unfortunate to see the 200+ year campaign of LIES about Hamilton, one of our greatest patriots and thinkers, still finds fertile ground among those who refuse to learn from history.