Antifederalists
Liberty or Empire: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speech No. 2
Centralization of power, standing armies, an elected king – would lead to a mighty empire, rather than a land of liberty. That’s what Patrick Henry warned about in his 2nd speech during the Virginia Ratifying Convention – June 5, 1788. Path to Liberty: May...
We the People or We the States: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speech No. 1
In his first speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry challenged the legitimacy of the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, warned against consolidation, and argued that a federal system should start with We the States. Path to Liberty, Fast Friday...
Too Much Power: Antifederalist Cato No. 7
In his last Antifederalist paper, Cato once again rails against centralization and consolidation of power – a consistent message for his entire series. Citing Montesquieu, he warns that all governments expand with “an insensible descent to evil.” The remedy?...
Don’t Trust Government: Antifederalist Cato No. 5
In his 5th paper, Cato reiterates the issues he has with the structure of the executive branch, moves on to reject claims that a free people would never let their government devolve into tyranny, and then rips into the structure of Congress. He warns the system will...