Federalist 2 Paraphrased
The Federalist Number 2: Concerning Dangers from Foreign Forces and Foreign Influence paraphrased into Modern English
by John Jay, October 31, 1787.
To: the people of New York,
When the people of America consider the question they're being called on to decide -- a question of such consequence that it may be the most important question that ever engaged their attention -- they will understand how necessary it is to grasp all sides of the issue and reflect seriously and thoughtfully about it.
We all know that government is necessary and crucial. We also know that no matter when or how it's set up, people will need to give up some of their natural rights so that the government will have the authority it needs. Therefore, it is worth considering whether the interests of the people will generally be better served by being a single nation under one federal government, or by separating into different confederacies with each one having a leader who has the same kinds of powers that we are suggesting should be placed in one national government.
Until just recently, it has been generally accepted without any opposition that the prosperity of the people depended on them being firmly united. The desires, prayers, and efforts of our best and most sensible citizens have been constantly directed towards being united. But now all of a sudden politicians are coming out of the woodwork, insisting that this idea is incorrect. They say that instead of seeking safety and happiness in a Union, we should seek it by dividing the states into separate sovereign countries. I know this new opinion sounds strange and incredible, but there are people who approve of it. In fact, some people who were previously opposed to separate countries are now supporting the idea! I don't know what arguments or motives have brought about such a change in what they felt and said before. It would be unwise for the general public to go along with them without being fully convinced that their opinion is based on truth and logic.
I have been pleased to see that the independent country of America was not made up of isolated, separate territories; our western sons of liberty [the western borders of the 13 colonies were Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, but some revolutionary battles were fought as far west as the Mississippi River] had come into one coherent, productive, wide-spreading country. God's divine management has blessed it with different kinds of soils and fruits, and watered that land with countless streams that delight and sustain those who live on it. A series of rivers wide enough for boats form a sort of chain around its borders, as if they're binding it all together, and the most noble rivers in the world run at convenient distances through the land, making a kind of highway system that enables easy communication of friendly aids and a way for communities to exchange their different merchandise.
I have been just as pleased to notice that God's divine management has been happy to give this one connected country to a people who are united -- a people who are descended from the same [British] ancestors, speak the same language, acknowledge the same religion, adhere to the same principles of government, follow similar manners and customs, and who jointly agreed, took up weapons, and fought side by side through a long, bloody war to establish liberty and independence for them all.
It's as if the land and the people were made for each other. It seems like that was divine Providence's design all along, as if Providence planned for this abundant and convenient land to belong to a group of people connected together by the strongest bonds, and not to ever be split up into different unconcerned, jealous, and estranged dominions.
Men from all walks of life and classes have felt similar sentiments. For all general purposes, we have all been one united people-- each individual citizen, no matter which territory he lives in, has enjoyed the same national rights, privileges, and protections. We have made peace and war as a unified nation. We have conquered our common enemies as a unified nation. We have formed alliances, made treaties, agreed on various contracts and assemblies with foreign countries as a unified nation.
The people felt a strong sense of the value and blessings of being unified early on, and that motivated them to create a federal government in order to preserve and continue their Union. In fact, they formed that government [the Articles of Confederation] almost as soon as they existed as a political entity, while their homes were still burning from the war, and many of their citizens were bleeding, and increasing hostility and desolation didn't leave them much leisure for the kind of calm, mature considerations and reflections that should always guide the formation of a prudent, well-balanced government for a free people. No wonder, then, that the government they formed at such an unfavorable time proved to be defective and inadequate at meeting the needs it was supposed to fill when it was actually put into use.
But this nation is made up of an intelligent people. They saw these defects and they regretted them. They were still as committed to union as they were committed to liberty. They saw the danger that threatened their Union, and might even threaten their liberty. They realized that the best way to protect both Union and Liberty would be to create a government that was framed more wisely. So, with one voice, they called a convention in Philadelphia to consider that important subject.
This convention was made up of men who had the people's confidence. Many of them were highly distinguished for their patriotism, virtue, and wisdom during times that tested the hearts and minds of men. These men took on the challenging task of framing a new government. During the more relaxed time of peace after the war, when their minds weren't absorbed with other pressing subjects, these men spent months consulting together coolly, uninterrupted, and consistently every day. They were able to resist the temptation of being awed by power or influenced by any other passion except love for their country. Finally, they presented to the people the plan they had produced together with their joint and unanimous councils, and they recommend this plan.
Notice that I say they recommend this plan -- they are not imposing it. Also note that they are not asking you to blindly approve of their plan -- or to blindly disapprove of it, either. Instead, consider it rationally and impartially, remembering how important and great this subject is, and how much it deserves your solemn consideration. I'm afraid it might be too much to expect it to be examined and considered rationally, although I wish it would be. Previous experience has shown that it's not wise to be too hopeful. Think back to a few years ago, when valid fears of urgent danger motivated the people to form the memorable Congress of 1774. The men in that Congress recommended certain proposals to their constituents, and that event showed how wise they were. But even at that, the media abounded with pamphlets and weekly papers criticizing those proposals. Government officials with their own personal agendas, as well as others who were mistaken about the consequences, or who hesitated because of too much influence from former loyalties, or whose ambition didn't correspond to the public good, were tireless in their attempts to convince the people to reject the advice of the patriotic men from that Congress. Many of those people were deceived and misguided, but the majority applied reason and made the sensible decision, and they are satisfied now when they look back and can confirm that they made the right choice.
They thought about how that Congress was made up of many wise and experienced men. They were from all different parts of the country, so they brought a variety of useful suggestions to the table. During the time they spent together looking into the true interests of their country and discussing their options, they must have jointly acquired some accurate knowledge about what was best for the country. Individually, each of them was interested in public liberty and the prosperity of the nation. Therefore, they were not only inclined to recommend those proposals, but they felt it was their duty. After reasoning together maturely, they thought these proposals were wise and desirable.
These and similar considerations gave the people enough confidence to rely on the judgment and integrity of the men in Congress. The people took their advice in spite of the shrewd attempts that were used to dissuade them. But if the people had good reasons to trust the men in that Congress in spite of those men being mostly untried and largely unknown, the people have even more reasons to trust those men's judgment and advice now. Some of the most distinguished members of that Congress have been tried and proven for their patriotism and their abilities. They have acquired political information as they've grown older, and used that accumulated knowledge and experience in this convention to write our new Constitution.
It is worth noting that not only that 1774 Congress, but every Congress after that, including this most recent one, have all agreed with the people in thinking that America's prosperity depends on its Union. The whole purpose in calling this convention was to preserve and continue that Union, and that is also the whole purpose of the plan -- this new Constitution -- that the convention is advising them to adopt. So why are some men devaluing the importance of the Union now? Why are they suggesting that three or four confederate nations would be better than one? I am certain that you, the people, are thinking properly about this issue, and that your general and consistent devotion to the concept of the Union is based on admirable and earnest reasons -- reasons that I hope to elaborate and explain in upcoming articles. Those people who are promoting separate confederacies instead of the new Constitution that was created by the convention don't seem to realize that rejecting this plan will put the existence of the Union in extreme peril. I hope that every good citizen understands this. If those men have their way and the Union is dissolved, then America will have good reason to quote Shakespeare's words, "Farewell! a long farewell to all my greatness!"
Signed, "Publius Valerius Publicola."
Paraphrased by Leslie Noelani Laurio, January-February 2019
All Federalist Paper paraphrases
by John Jay, October 31, 1787.
To: the people of New York,
When the people of America consider the question they're being called on to decide -- a question of such consequence that it may be the most important question that ever engaged their attention -- they will understand how necessary it is to grasp all sides of the issue and reflect seriously and thoughtfully about it.
We all know that government is necessary and crucial. We also know that no matter when or how it's set up, people will need to give up some of their natural rights so that the government will have the authority it needs. Therefore, it is worth considering whether the interests of the people will generally be better served by being a single nation under one federal government, or by separating into different confederacies with each one having a leader who has the same kinds of powers that we are suggesting should be placed in one national government.
Until just recently, it has been generally accepted without any opposition that the prosperity of the people depended on them being firmly united. The desires, prayers, and efforts of our best and most sensible citizens have been constantly directed towards being united. But now all of a sudden politicians are coming out of the woodwork, insisting that this idea is incorrect. They say that instead of seeking safety and happiness in a Union, we should seek it by dividing the states into separate sovereign countries. I know this new opinion sounds strange and incredible, but there are people who approve of it. In fact, some people who were previously opposed to separate countries are now supporting the idea! I don't know what arguments or motives have brought about such a change in what they felt and said before. It would be unwise for the general public to go along with them without being fully convinced that their opinion is based on truth and logic.
I have been pleased to see that the independent country of America was not made up of isolated, separate territories; our western sons of liberty [the western borders of the 13 colonies were Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, but some revolutionary battles were fought as far west as the Mississippi River] had come into one coherent, productive, wide-spreading country. God's divine management has blessed it with different kinds of soils and fruits, and watered that land with countless streams that delight and sustain those who live on it. A series of rivers wide enough for boats form a sort of chain around its borders, as if they're binding it all together, and the most noble rivers in the world run at convenient distances through the land, making a kind of highway system that enables easy communication of friendly aids and a way for communities to exchange their different merchandise.
I have been just as pleased to notice that God's divine management has been happy to give this one connected country to a people who are united -- a people who are descended from the same [British] ancestors, speak the same language, acknowledge the same religion, adhere to the same principles of government, follow similar manners and customs, and who jointly agreed, took up weapons, and fought side by side through a long, bloody war to establish liberty and independence for them all.
It's as if the land and the people were made for each other. It seems like that was divine Providence's design all along, as if Providence planned for this abundant and convenient land to belong to a group of people connected together by the strongest bonds, and not to ever be split up into different unconcerned, jealous, and estranged dominions.
Men from all walks of life and classes have felt similar sentiments. For all general purposes, we have all been one united people-- each individual citizen, no matter which territory he lives in, has enjoyed the same national rights, privileges, and protections. We have made peace and war as a unified nation. We have conquered our common enemies as a unified nation. We have formed alliances, made treaties, agreed on various contracts and assemblies with foreign countries as a unified nation.
The people felt a strong sense of the value and blessings of being unified early on, and that motivated them to create a federal government in order to preserve and continue their Union. In fact, they formed that government [the Articles of Confederation] almost as soon as they existed as a political entity, while their homes were still burning from the war, and many of their citizens were bleeding, and increasing hostility and desolation didn't leave them much leisure for the kind of calm, mature considerations and reflections that should always guide the formation of a prudent, well-balanced government for a free people. No wonder, then, that the government they formed at such an unfavorable time proved to be defective and inadequate at meeting the needs it was supposed to fill when it was actually put into use.
But this nation is made up of an intelligent people. They saw these defects and they regretted them. They were still as committed to union as they were committed to liberty. They saw the danger that threatened their Union, and might even threaten their liberty. They realized that the best way to protect both Union and Liberty would be to create a government that was framed more wisely. So, with one voice, they called a convention in Philadelphia to consider that important subject.
This convention was made up of men who had the people's confidence. Many of them were highly distinguished for their patriotism, virtue, and wisdom during times that tested the hearts and minds of men. These men took on the challenging task of framing a new government. During the more relaxed time of peace after the war, when their minds weren't absorbed with other pressing subjects, these men spent months consulting together coolly, uninterrupted, and consistently every day. They were able to resist the temptation of being awed by power or influenced by any other passion except love for their country. Finally, they presented to the people the plan they had produced together with their joint and unanimous councils, and they recommend this plan.
Notice that I say they recommend this plan -- they are not imposing it. Also note that they are not asking you to blindly approve of their plan -- or to blindly disapprove of it, either. Instead, consider it rationally and impartially, remembering how important and great this subject is, and how much it deserves your solemn consideration. I'm afraid it might be too much to expect it to be examined and considered rationally, although I wish it would be. Previous experience has shown that it's not wise to be too hopeful. Think back to a few years ago, when valid fears of urgent danger motivated the people to form the memorable Congress of 1774. The men in that Congress recommended certain proposals to their constituents, and that event showed how wise they were. But even at that, the media abounded with pamphlets and weekly papers criticizing those proposals. Government officials with their own personal agendas, as well as others who were mistaken about the consequences, or who hesitated because of too much influence from former loyalties, or whose ambition didn't correspond to the public good, were tireless in their attempts to convince the people to reject the advice of the patriotic men from that Congress. Many of those people were deceived and misguided, but the majority applied reason and made the sensible decision, and they are satisfied now when they look back and can confirm that they made the right choice.
They thought about how that Congress was made up of many wise and experienced men. They were from all different parts of the country, so they brought a variety of useful suggestions to the table. During the time they spent together looking into the true interests of their country and discussing their options, they must have jointly acquired some accurate knowledge about what was best for the country. Individually, each of them was interested in public liberty and the prosperity of the nation. Therefore, they were not only inclined to recommend those proposals, but they felt it was their duty. After reasoning together maturely, they thought these proposals were wise and desirable.
These and similar considerations gave the people enough confidence to rely on the judgment and integrity of the men in Congress. The people took their advice in spite of the shrewd attempts that were used to dissuade them. But if the people had good reasons to trust the men in that Congress in spite of those men being mostly untried and largely unknown, the people have even more reasons to trust those men's judgment and advice now. Some of the most distinguished members of that Congress have been tried and proven for their patriotism and their abilities. They have acquired political information as they've grown older, and used that accumulated knowledge and experience in this convention to write our new Constitution.
It is worth noting that not only that 1774 Congress, but every Congress after that, including this most recent one, have all agreed with the people in thinking that America's prosperity depends on its Union. The whole purpose in calling this convention was to preserve and continue that Union, and that is also the whole purpose of the plan -- this new Constitution -- that the convention is advising them to adopt. So why are some men devaluing the importance of the Union now? Why are they suggesting that three or four confederate nations would be better than one? I am certain that you, the people, are thinking properly about this issue, and that your general and consistent devotion to the concept of the Union is based on admirable and earnest reasons -- reasons that I hope to elaborate and explain in upcoming articles. Those people who are promoting separate confederacies instead of the new Constitution that was created by the convention don't seem to realize that rejecting this plan will put the existence of the Union in extreme peril. I hope that every good citizen understands this. If those men have their way and the Union is dissolved, then America will have good reason to quote Shakespeare's words, "Farewell! a long farewell to all my greatness!"
Signed, "Publius Valerius Publicola."
Paraphrased by Leslie Noelani Laurio, January-February 2019
All Federalist Paper paraphrases
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