Cato III - Ceding Power
In Cato III an Anti-Federalist author (probably George Clinton) argues that the US Constitution creates a government that encompasses too many people who are spread too far apart.
Cato III
October 25, 1787
In Cato III an Anti-Federalist author (probably George Clinton) argues that the US Constitution creates a government that encompasses too many people who are spread too far apart.
This, he suggests, would separate people from the seat of power to a degree that will inevitably lead to tyranny.
Distance
Cato leans on the political philosophers Montesquieu and Locke to make his arguments in this Paper.
He points to the idea that republican governments can only work properly on a small scale. In fact, he notes that many of the troubles the States were having at the time could be linked to his belief that the State Governments had already gotten too large.
To accept the Constitution would put citizens at such a great distance from power that they would have no relationship with it.
Therefore, the wide gap of differences between people across the nation would result in the Federal Government relying on the use of force to demand compliance...a recipe for tyranny.
Attacking The South
Cato also attempts to strike fear in the hearts of his New York readers with a discussion of the southern States.
He specifically references their, “passion for aristocratic distinction; where slavery is encouraged,” as a reminder that those States will be extremely powerful in the new Government.
Cato then asks, “...will these men, therefore, be as tenacious of the liberties and interests of the more northern states, where freedom, independence, industry equality and frugality are natural to the climate,” really protect your rights?
The Response
While this Paper takes a general view of fairly common Anti-Federalist talking points, it is important to note that this is one of the first to do so.
Additionally, it was extremely popular and was responded to in the Federalist Papers by both Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.
Madison’s Federalist No. 10, arguably the most famous, is largely aimed at easing the fears that a consolidated nations government would cause the problems of which Cato was concerned.
This series is only part of my regular publications, so…
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“You will permit me to put on my spectacles,” might seem like a silly quote from George Washington, but it is actually taken from one of the most important speeches in American history.
Washington spoke these words during the Newburgh Conspiracy and essentially used them to reject absolute power. With this phrase, he was able to prevent his Officers from threatening Congress.
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