Political Discord
Hamilton, predicting the initial Anti-Federalist response would continue, correctly foresaw the US Constitution as a polarizing issue. In reference to those who would oppose the Constitution, he claimed that "A torrent of angry and malignant passions will be let loose." According to Hamilton:
An enlightened zeal for the energy and efficiency of government will be stigmatized as the offspring of a temper fond of despotic power and hostile to the principles of liberty.
This prediction has proven false, with hardly any discussion about the Papers (and the known Anti-Federalist Papers) continuing to this day. Hamilton maintained that he held a genuine duty to the citizens, in setting them on their guards against a barrage of political spin:
I have had an eye, my fellow-citizens, to putting you upon your guard against all attempts, from whatever quarter, to influence your decision in a matter of the utmost moment to your welfare.
Read more about this topic: Federalist No. 1
Famous quotes containing the words political and/or discord:
“The national anthem belongs to the eighteenth century. In it you find us ordering God about to do our political dirty work.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“What, then, was war? No mere discord of flags
But an infection of the common sky
That sagged ominously upon the earth”
—Robert Graves (1895–1985)