Selections from The Federalist: A Commentary on The Constitution of The United States [Paperback]

These essays on the Constitution were written by busy men in the midst of an active public and professional life, written with immense haste, and without proper time for consultation.... Yet even when they first appeared, the Federalist papers were recognized as the best explanation of and defense of the Constitution available, and they took their place, almost at once, as a classic. Jefferson-no Federalist himself-pronounced the volume, when it appeared, the best commentary on the principles of government which has ever been written. -From the Introduction by Editor, Henry S. Commager. Includes bibliography.

Editors Introduction vii

1. Introduction I

2. The Value of Union 4

9. The Union a Safeguard against Domestic Disturbances 7

10. The Union a Check on Faction 9

11. Commercial Advantages of Union 16

14. Objections to the Union on the Score of Extent of Territory 18

15. Defects of the Present Confederation Arising from Dependence on State Governments 21

21. Fundamental Defects of the Present Confederation 25

22. Specific Defects of the Present Confederation 30

23. Necessity of an Energetic Government 38

26. Grounds for Restraining Legislative Authority over Armies 42

27. Impossibility of a National Government without a National Force 43

31. Necessity for Unlimited Power of Taxation 47

32. Exclusive and Concurrent Taxing Powers in a Federal System 50

33. Taxation Considered with Respect to General Powers 52

34. Taxation with Respect to Military Necessity 56

35. Taxation in Relation to Class Interests 58

37. Difficulties of the Convention in Framing a Constitution 61

39. Conformity ofl£®