State Ratifying Conventions
Destroyer of Liberty: Consolidation
The founders considered consolidation one of the greatest threats to liberty. Both federalist and anti-federalist alike agreed on this political maxim, at least publicly. Their debate was mostly over whether the proposed constitution was creating such a centralized...
Implied vs Expressly Reserved: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speeches 5-7
In a series of speeches during the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry warned that despite arguments to the contrary, the federal government wouldnโt act like its powers were only those delegated to it. Instead, it would act like all others before it –...
Imaginary vs Real Dangers: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speech No. 4
In his 4th speech during the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry made the case that the constitution was being sold as a response to dangers that didnโt truly exist – but instead created an even greater one, consolidation. Path to Liberty, Fast Friday...
Don’t Give in to Fear: Patrick Henry’s Anti-Federalist Speech No. 3
Responding to Federalist claims that rejecting ratification would lead to danger, chaos and potential ruin, Patrick Henry took the other side, โit is the fortune of a free people not to be intimidated by imaginary dangersโ and urged the addition of a bill of rights...