Pennsylvania Federalist Essay Rough Draft

Support for Federalism

We, the representatives of the Pennsylvania House, have agreed upon the ratification of the New Constitution for the United States, which we are and are writing this to express our support for this document and to advocate the ratification for this document. We made the decision to support and ratify this New Constitution based upon the complications associated with the Articles of Confederation and it is our belief that the New Constitution is the proper document off which to base our government. We have come to the realization that the Articles of Confederation are a defective way of setting up our government and it is absolutely necessary and imperative that we call for a change in our government. It is additionally our firm belief that that will not only best be seen in the New Constitution, but only seen in the New Constitution, that the Articles of Confederation is a document beyond revision and it must be retired from our eyes. Under the Articles of Confederation, our federal government failed to be able to unify and gain support from individual states. Our federal government of Congress under such a document is unable to provide for the defense of our nation and unable to collect money from state treasuries for the federal government, therefore we must realize that a change is necessary and we are in favor of this change.

We have made the decision to support the New Constitution because it is our firm belief that the system of a confederation of states as well as a strong federal government to preside over them is the most desirable and unequal way of forming our government. The New Constitution allows for a federal government which is strong enough to serve the needs of the people. We must realize that our government is flawed and under such a separated institution of our states cannot continue if we are to be one people. We as Pennsylvanians have come forward to announce that we are members of a larger union of Americans and that we support a government which ties and unifies us all together. Under the New Constitution we will be strong as one body of many voices, many voices that will be represented equally, no matter which state they represent. The New Constitution supports a unity which is absolutely necessary to our new country. Do we wish to continue with a struggling economy? Our friends in New York must understand this above us all, with the crises that have occurred with Shay’s Rebellion. We cannot repay our war debts if we do not come collectively to improve our economy. We cannot suppose that any of our fellow states wish to continue with our struggling economy, therefore we appeal to you, that under our New Constitution we can have the political support in which to have an economy which can properly support ourselves.

Why is this constitution so ideal? It allows for the equal representation among our states, with a complex Congressional system of a House and a Senate. In the House of Representatives, each state will have representation according to their population. In the Senate, each state will have equal representation regardless of population. This legislative system is complex, effective and ideal for our nation of differing populations in our states. It is a government that is neither to be feared by a state of small population or of large, but one which both can coexist together. Coexisting, we might say, is perhaps the most ideal aspect of the New Constitution. For it allows for the coexisting of the federal and state government as well. It allows for a constantly evolving system of government, with the ability to add amendment to it as we as people find necessary. It is a document which is both concrete, but also fluid, as according to our needs as a people.

It is in our hearts to fear a strong central government, as that is what we have endured against in our struggle for freedom from the King of England. However, we must see past this fear and realize as a collective body our need for strength and unification for our states as it is in our best interest. We are not losing our rights or our freedoms as states, we are allowing for unification and strength as a collective body of unified but separate bodies. A central government is necessary for strength and without strength we cannot defend ourselves. Can we afford to be powerless to our enemies that may take advantage of our country? We must remember that we no longer are under the protection of the British army, that we are dependent upon ourselves for strength. Can we defend our democratic nation without a strong federal government that can protect and defend ourselves? We must remember that it is imperative as people that we are able to defend ourselves against any threat to our country. Without defense there is no nation, a nation without defense will not stay a nation long. This is why it is imperative that we make the decision to be strong and why we are supporting strength and why we are asking you to support and ratify this New Constitution.

We have heard it argued that the New Constitution is a document which will strip the states of their rights as individuals. However, this claim shows a lack of understanding the New Constitution and the complexity which dictates it. The New Constitution is not a document that takes away the rights of the states, but rather a document which so intricately and complexly protects their rights that it is both impossible and unconceivable that under this document that he rights of the states could be taken away. The New Constitution presents a government of checks and balances, one that is so intricately webbed that it is constantly checking itself and ensuring that the government is not becoming an instrument of power which takes away the rights of the individual states. Instead, it is a strong federal government which is in fact the sovereign of the rights of the states, not a power force which will inhibit us from our rights. A joint-government between states and federal is the most ideal that we can aspire to. This idea of a “compound-republic” of cooperation between the states and the federal government is one that we have tweaked and compromised. It is one that allows both for strength as a federal government and rights as individual states. We cannot believe that the New Constitution supports a tyrannical government! It is far from it; it supports a government of helping hands, a government of perfect unity between federal and state government, a union which is equally beneficial and munificent to both, a union which is imperative, necessary and perfect for our United States of America.