Henry wasn’t alone. Many forget that those who opposed the
Constitution were articulate in their own right and compiled what came
to be known as “The Anti-Federalist Papers”– a collection of writings
and speeches with this provocatively titled introduction: “A Dangerous
Plan of Benefit Only to The Aristocratick Combination.”
Here’s but one statement contained therein:
“What then may we expect if the new constitution be adopted as it now
stands? The great will struggle for power, honor and wealth; the poor
become a prey to avarice, insolence and oppression. And while some
are studying to supplant their neighbors, and others striving to keep
their stations, one villain will wink at the oppression of another, the
people be fleeced, and the public business neglected. From despotism
and tyranny good Lord deliver us.”
Sounds like something that could have been posted on a blog
yesterday, doesn’t it?
Motives of the Anti-Federalists varied: Some felt delegates to the
Constitutional Convention overstepped their authority by proposing
a replacement to the Articles of Confederation; others felt the new
(and some said “illegal”) Constitution was crafted by wealthy special
interests groups; some thought the document concentrated too much
power in a federal government at the cost of the individual states. In
an attempt to quell the concerns of the opposition, more than two
hundred amendments were debated and proposed at the various state
ratifying conventions. As expected, the right to bear arms was a key
topic all around.
As a side note, Pennsylvania debated more than a dozen possible
amendments. Why mention this? Because the Keystone State’s own
version of the second amendment does not contain the phrase: “A wellregulated
Militia.” More about that later.
Here’s what Samuel Adams said during the Massachusetts Ratifying
Convention in 1788: “The Constitution shall never be construed to
prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens
from keeping their own arms.”
Adams was a statesman and political philosopher as well as Founding
Father. He was also second cousin to John Adams, second president of
the United States and the only president elected to the nation’s highest
office as a member of Federalist Party.
40 The TRUMP RALLY Publication