On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 38 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. James Madison (a.k.a. “Publius”) is basically warning Americans not to sit around and wait for the “perfect” plan of government to present itself. His arguments here remind me of what I often say about the El

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 37 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Publius is finally changing the direction of his papers to topics that you will enjoy more.  Former papers discussed the general need for Union (papers 1-14), inadequacies of the then-existing Union under the

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper 29 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. We are turning to a subject that is better than taxes! Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) is defending the prospect of giving Congress the authority “to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the mil

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 36 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) continues to discuss taxes, but this essay should leave you wondering just *what* Hamilton would think of the modern-day IRS! Hamilton discusses several remaining objecti

On this day in 1788, Federalist Papers No. 34 and 35 are published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued for the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. I am so sorry to tell you that Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) is still discussing the national government’s power of taxation. He felt an extended discussion was needed. Remember that Americ

On this day in 1788, a long essay is published. That essay would eventually be broken down into Federalist Papers No. 32 and 33. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Essay 31 was published yesterday, and I warned you then that Alexander Hamilton (aka “Publius”) was going to harp on a subject that most o

On this day in 1788, Federalist Paper No. 31 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. I’ll warn you that this is another paper that is difficult to read in light of recent events. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) is defending the unlimited right of the national government to tax us. Again

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 30 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Yes, I did skip paper no. 29! (Bonus points if you noticed?! Ha.) That essay is out of order in the collection. A summary of paper no. 29 is coming, but not until its original January (newspaper) publication

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 28 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) continues his discussion: Will military force be needed to enforce national laws? The previous paper discussed why such force would not normally be needed. Now Publius tu

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 27 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Publius addresses the contention that the new national government will need the aid of the military if it is to enforce its laws. Such a concern might sound odd to modern ears. However, it would have sounded

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 26 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) is still discussing standing armies. Yes — again! He’s continued this discussion for three papers in a row, which might seem tedious at first glance. But he has an underl

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 25 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) continues to argue that the national government should have power to raise a standing army, despite the general mistrust of such armies at that point in time. The default

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 24 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Alexander Hamilton (a.ka. “Publius”) addresses one specific objection that has been made to the proposed Constitution: Some claimed that “proper provision has not been made against the existence of standing a

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 23 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They were written under the pseudonym “Publius” and argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. You’ll remember that, in past papers, Publius has discussed why a formal Union of States is needed. Then he argued that the current Union, under the Articles of

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 22 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. “Publius”) continues with his discussion of the defects in the then-existing confederacy under the Articles of Confederation. He has a laundry list of problems with the Confederatio

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Cato” writes his sixth contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Cato has several complaints about the “apportionment of representatives and direct taxes,” as it was then being proposed. I am sorry to tell you that at least some of these complaints are because the Constitution departed from the “just and rational

On this day in 1787, an author writing under the pseudonym “Brutus” writes his fifth contribution to the anti-Federalist Papers. These papers argued against the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Brutus is worried about Congress’s power to “lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises” in order to “provide for the common defence, and general welfare of the United States.” And he thinks this power becomes even more worrisome when cons

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 21 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They were written under the pseudonym “Publius” and argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Publius has finished discussing historical examples of failed confederacies. Now he turns to particular problems in America, with the Articles of Confederation i

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 20 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They were written under the pseudonym “Publius” and argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. In the last few papers, Publius drew upon historical examples to show his readers why the then-existing Union of states must be strengthened. The last few papers

On this day in 1787, Federalist Paper No. 19 is published. The Federalist Papers are a collection of essays that were published in New York newspapers in late 1787 and early 1788. They were written under the pseudonym “Publius” and argued FOR the new Constitution, then being considered for ratification by the states. Publius again turns to history to make his point that a formal union of states is needed. So let’s face it. This section of the Federalist series is probably a b