Federalist papers: no. 1
general introduction
for the independent journal
author: alexander hamilton
to the people of the state of new york:
after an unequivocal experience of the inefficiency of the subsisting federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new constitution for the united states of america. the subject
speaks its own importance; comprehending in its consequences nothing less than the existence of the union, the safety and welfare of the parts of which it is composed, the fate of an empire in
many respects the most interesting in the world. it has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the
important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their
political constitutions on acadent and force. if there be any truth in the remark, the crisis at which we are arrived may with propriety be regarded as the era in which that decision is to be made;
and a wrong election of the part we shall act may, in this view, deserve to be considered as the general misfortune of mankind.
re-read the opening line from the federalist papers no. 1:
after an unequivocal experience of the inefficiency of the subsisting federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on a new constitution for the united states of america,
what does this line suggest hamilton is hoping to avoid in the discussion about reform? (5 points)