George Mason’s Anti-Federalist Arguments Against the Constitution
“A monarchy, or a corrupt tyrannical aristocracy.” That’s what George Mason predicted the Constitution would produce. And his objections to ratification were some of the most influential anti-federalist writings during the debates. Mason didn’t initially oppose the...
Patrick Henry: Top-6 Anti-Federalist Warnings
This government “will swallow the liberties of the people, without giving them previous notice.” That’s one of many stark warnings Patrick Henry gave us in 1788. In a series of fiery speeches during the Virginia Ratifying Convention, he laid out some of the most...
Tench Coxe: Originalism and the Founders’ Understanding of the Constitution
“Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American.” If he’s even remembered at all today, people today generally look at Tench Coxe as the founder who forcefully advocated for the natural right to keep and bear arms....