We the People: Both the Solution and the Problem
For James Madison, the people of the several states were both the source of all power – and thus the ultimate solution to usurpations – but at the same time, the source of many of the problems due to the tendency towards factions – ultimately leading...
Patrick Henry: Top Anti-Federalist Warnings
In a series of speeches during the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry laid out much of the anti-federalist case against ratification without amendments. The foundation underlying all his arguments was a consistent warning against consolidation – or...
Ten Thousand Implied Powers: Patrick Henry’s Final Antifederalist Speech
In his last major speech during the Virginia Ratifying Convention, Patrick Henry warned against the potential for “ten thousand implied powers,” and called for a number of amendments prior to ratification. Path to Liberty, Fast Friday Edition: August 11, 2023...