The Federalist Papers written jointly by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay became the most influential papers in attaining ratification of the Constitution. In the first essay, Hamilton tells readers to consider the new Constitution because the present form of government is insufficient. He states that it in is the interest of the people to adopt the Constitution, for he feels that it is the safest path to ensure liberty, dignity, and happiness (Retrieving the American Past, p.139-142). In “Federalist No. 10" Madison begins his essay by stating that one of the strongest argument in favor of the Constitution is the establishment of a government with the ability to control th

Following adoption of the Constitution, several issues that arose in the process of ratification resurfaced during the Jefferson administration. The most controversial of these issues proved to be the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Sedition Act made it illegal to conspire against government with the intent to oppose any measures of it. Additionally, it made it illegal to write, print, utter, or publish something with the intent to defame the United States government (Retrieving the American Past, p. 172-174). Suspicion of French influence among the Jeffersonians led the Federalist to pass this law. Albert Gallatin, a Jeffersonian republican congressman, attacked the sedition act claiming that it infringed upon the rights listed in the Constitution. The federalist defended this act by stating that they claim no power to abridge the liberty of the press. The people are still allowed to publish what they wish, but if it is against the government, they shall be punished for it. As long as they do not prevent but only punish, then it is not an abridgement of the liberty of press. Gallatin claims that the Federalist true intention of passing the law is to allow one party to oppress the other. They seek the power to punish all presses which present views contrary to their views and to prevent free circulation of opinion allowing the people to only hear one side of the argument thus deceiving them by giving only partial information (Retrieving the American Past, p. 169-171).

e violence and damages cause by political factions. Both supporters and opponent to the Constitution expressed their concern with faction. Madison states that factions are inevitable and thus must be dealt with. He argues that the new form of government is designed to control damages caused by factions (Retrieving the American Past, p. 147-150). “Federalist No. 51” was written to explain the republican form of government

Some topics in this essay:
American Past, Philadelphia Convention, Gallatin Jeffersonian, Samuel Bryan, , John Randolph, Constitution War, Hartford Convention, Felix Grundy, John Jay, american past, retrieving american past, retrieving american, form government, political leaders, sedition act, british influenced, political factions, liberty press, ratification anti-federalist, drafting constitution,