Analysis of the Fifth Paragraph of the Federalist Papers: No. 1

Introduction

Beginning to analyze Alexander Hamilton's work without providing the educational background of educated men in the political circles would be a failure. Those at the center of governing and leading the new country based their leadership process on the Greek and Roman systems of administrations. As per such teachings, their fear of republican government was justifiable. To them, due to the constitutional system had never been applicable over a vast region such as the united states, its desirability lay in the protection of liberty. Roman and Greek empires collapsed after implementing the Republican administration system, and as a result, the political circle deemed implementing a republican system would only result in the collapse of the young nation. Additionally, the Republicans risked experiencing class wars as per the founding father's observations from the Shay's Rebellion. As such, the founding fathers had valid arguments against implementing the republican system of administration.

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The above passage recognizes the fear held by the founding fathers concerning the fall of major empires. Seemingly aware of this, Alexander Hamilton does not appeal to the emotional attachment of the readers; instead, he bases his arguments on hard, irrefutable facts as witnessed in his statement, "...by any impressions other than those which may result from the evidence of truth" (Yale Law School, 2008). His arguments do not follow the path of a politician; rather, it is the work of a legal practitioner focused on passing across a message while open to any queries that may arise. His views also come with a dare of those willing to challenge him to state their position not on him as an individual, instead, on the opinions and facts presented. The passage offers the insight on one unwilling to play political games, preferably, a focus on establishing a constitutional system that would help develop the young nation.

Unlike most of The Federalist Papers: No. 1, the passage focuses on influencing and amassing support for a cause that would prove beneficial to the practitioners. Hamilton recognizes in most of the paper the possibility of people not supporting the idea, however, in the fifth paragraph, he distances his discussion from those against development and instead, focuses on convincing others to support his stand as it would benefit them too. By appealing to a cause that would guarantee happiness, dignity, and liberty, his arguments present all attributes any nation would look out for (Yale Law School, 2008). This passage illustrates his stand, his vision and the hope of seeing the small country turn to a mighty nation in future. At the time, who would have thought his vision and dream's realization was a guarantee.

Although the Federalist paper outlines the arguments brought forth by Hamilton, the passage comes out as a convincing factor. He alerts the readers against expecting the article to be a debate, and preferably, he calls on them to ask whichever questions they may have concerning the presented facts (Yale Law School, 2008). Hamilton comes out as more of a saint, his words echoing truths and instead of appealing to people's emotional attachment, he hopes to convince them through logical explanations and illustrations. It goes without saying; the outline offers the reader a natural understanding of the contents of the remaining 84 papers.

The passage presents a puzzle as one fails to see any self-centeredness in Hamilton's work. He does not pass as one attached to self-development and achievement, preferably, his concern for the development of his nation catches him as a patriot who is more concerned about the future of the government than the present. His way of presentation is puzzling too. Although he wants to encourage people to stand up and effect constitutional change in cases of constitutional inefficiencies, he fails in appealing to the emotional factor of the population. The passage starts by asserting that, he aims to influence their decision which to many, may emphasize his strong stand on upholding his view amending the constitution (Yale Law School, 2008). In one way, he does trample on the freedom of choice clause indirectly, although he does not offer one a direct inclination to follow his statements, he presents two aspects where his opinion is better when considered against other views.

Past the idea of imposition portrayed in his assertion of not debating the contents of the paper, instead, offering answers for any questions raised, the Federalist paper provides insight and development that was rare in the 17th century (Yale Law School, 2008). Hamilton's understanding of what debates would do to the documentation led to a one-sided discussion, and in whichever way, one looks at it, the decision was justified. By analyzing a debate, political affiliations would have distorted the paper's meaning rendering it invalid. Additionally, by refusing to focus on the reasons why politicians would object to a constitutional amendment, he denied other players a foothold in negatively analyzing the paper.

The statement, "I will not amuse you with an appearance of deliberation when I have decided" (Yale Law School, 2008). Serves to show how convicted Hamilton was in ensuring his message reached everyone. He envisioned a world where development based on the young nation's ability to hold and develop its Constitutional base would guarantee the country withstands both external and internal attacks against its existence. Although most people were wary of the impact a republican government would have on the small nation especially after witnessing the fall of Greek and Roman empires, Hamilton knew that, without a robust constitutional base, the country would collapse quickly. His honesty in appealing to people's logical understanding without trying so much to convince them separates him from any political affiliation, and instead, focuses on his legal front. Hamilton could not pass as a politician; his honesty is worth emulating.

Conclusion

In summation, the above passage in the Federalist 1, illustrates Hamilton's belief in the future greatness of America. His belief that the nation would rise to be the world's most powerful nation and as such, the government would use the power and strength as a tool for development of individual rights and protection of freedoms. One cannot fail to witness the use of the word empire. To the modern reader, the united states are the most powerful nation in the world, however, in the 17th century, while the country was still in its infantry, who would have guessed or even hoped for such a turn of events. His uniqueness in seeing far ahead into the future illustrates just how different he was from other Founding Fathers. He displays the characteristics of both a strategist and visionary in that, in anticipation of a powerful nation, he proposed a similar system that would help strengthen and ensure the power in the state focuses on protecting the nation's citizens.

References

Yale Law School. (2008). The Federalist Papers: No. 1: General Introduction for the Independent Journal. Retrieved from http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed01.asp