The Antifederalists

The Constitution was viewed by the founders as unique because it was the product of deliberation and debate. Most previous foundings of governments had been the result of chance or the decree of one all-powerful man.

 

The Constitution was written by a diverse body of statesmen over a three month period, debated around the country, and ratified in an open and representative procedure.

 

The Antifederalists contributed to this process by forcing the Federalists to debate and defend the constitution. They forced the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

 

The Antifederalists should be thought of as Founding Fathers. However, because they lost the debate historians have neglected to honor them.

 

Negative Characterizations of Antifederalists:

·        Focused only on states and local government

·        Narrow minded

·        Blind to inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation

·        Men without principle

·        Willing to say anything to drag down the Constitution

·        Fearful of change

·        Men of little faith

·        Could not foresee the promise of a strong America

·        Excessively fearful of national government

·        Divided

·        Contradictory

·        Unwilling to compromise with Federalists

·        Against the Constitution, but had no viable alternative

·        Champions of a losing cause

·        History proves them wrong

 

Positive Characterizations of Antifederalists

·        Democratic agrarians

·        Represented the yeoman farmer and his virtues

·        Committed to republican government

·        Favored a more participatory democracy

·        Favored the small self-governing community

·        Closer to model of classical democracy

·        Opposed to self-seeking oligarchs among the Federalists (Beard thesis)

·        Represented the common man and his virtues

·        No more divided than Federalists (Federalist had appearance of unity due to victory and the Federalists Papers)

·        While some opposed the Constitution, others favored adoption if amendments could be guaranteed

·        Agreed with Federalists that purpose of government is the regulation and protection of individual rights

·        Committed to the idea of union between the state

Leading Antifederalist Writers

·        The Centinel

·        The Federal Farmer

·        Brutus

·        Agrippa

·        George Mason

·        Richard Henry Lee

·        Henry Lee

·        George Clinton (New York)

·        Sam Adams (Mass)

·        Elbridge Gerry (Mass)

·        Luther Martin (Maryland)

·        The Impartial Examiner

·        Patrick Henry

·        Melancton Smith

 

Antifederalist Quotes from Patrick Henry

“We are come hither to preserve the poor Commonwealth of Virginia, if it can possibly be done: Something must be done to preserve your liberty and mine: The Confederation; this same despised government merits, in my opinion, the highest encomium: It carried us through a long and dangerous war: It rendered us victorious in that bloody conflict with a powerful nation: It has secured us a territory greater than any European Monarch possesses: And shall a government which has been thus strong and vigorous, be accused of imbecility and abandoned for want of energy?”  --- Patrick Henry

 

“If your American Chief (President) be a man of ambition and abilities, how easy is it  or him to render himself absolute: The army is in his hands, and if he be a man of address, it will be attached to him; and it will be the subject of long mediation with him to seize the first auspicious moment to accomplish his design; and, Sir, will the American spirit solely relieve you when this happens? I would rather infinitely, and I am sure most of this Convention are of the same opinion, have a King, Lords, and Commons, than a Government so replete with such insupportable evils.”