Federalist vs. Anti-federalist Perspectives on the Constitution
Before the state convention, there is a great issue about liberty. One proponents of the Constitution are federalists who favor to establish a stronger national government; one opponents of the Constitution are anti-federalists who favor to establish a weaker national government. Federalists think only a stronger national government have an ability to keep the states in control. Anti-federalists think the states should have more power than the national government. Even though the conflict between federalist and anti-federalist doesn't stop, whether it is a federalists or anti-federalists, they have the same dream to united the states to become a strong country. The perfect decision is to use the best way to administrate the country and stabilize the society. In my opinion, a stronger national government will keep the country developing. "A free republic cannot succeed over a country of such immense extent, containing such a number of inhabitants......as that of the whole United States." (Brutus I) First of all, anti-federalists thought that a republic must be small and uniform to survive. The United States was a large country that had 1200 miles long and 200 miles inland, and it also had big population which had wide range of religions and races. They thought if a national government had a strong power that would insulate from the people and would abuse the power to deprive the powers belonged to the states. For instance, the legislature of the U.S had great and uncontroulable powers: the Congress would tax heavily from the states and regulate the inter-states trade; the Supreme Court would overrule state courts; and the president would come to raise and support large armies. Brutus noted Article I, Sec. 8 implied powers "the necessary and proper." It meant that the states reserved certain powers, and considerable powers could be added. Also, a strong central government would threaten the rights of common people. Because the Constitution was created by