The Federalist and Other Constitutional Papers

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1894. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ADDRESS BY DAVID RAMSAY. An Address to the Freemen of South Caroltna, on the subject of the Federal Constitutton, Proposed by the Contention, xrhich met tn Phtladelphia, May, 1787. Charleston, Printed by Botcen and Co., A-o. 31, Bay. Friends, Countrymen, and Fellow Citizens: You have at this time a new federal constitution proposed for your consideration. The great importance of the subject demands your most serious attention. To assist you in forming a right judgment on this matter, it will be proper to consider, 1st. It is the manifest interest of these states to be united. Internal wars among ourselves would most probably be the consequence of disunion. Our local weakness particularly proves it to be for the advantage of South Carolina to strengthen the federal government; for we are inadequate to secure ourselves from more powerful neighbours. 2d. If the thirteen states are to be united in reality, as well as in name, the obvious principle of the union will be, that the congress, or general government, should have power to regulate all general concerns. In a state of nature, each man is free, and may do what he pleases: but in society, every individual must sacrifice a part of his natural rights; the minority must yield to the majority, and the collective interest must controul particular interests. When thirteen persons constitute a family, each should forego everything that is injurious to the other twelve. When several families constitute a parish, or county, each may adopt what regulations it pleases with regard to its domestic affairs, but must be abridged of that liberty in other cases, where the good of the whole is concerned. When several parishes, counties, or districts, form a state, the separate interests of each must yield to the collective inter...