The Federalist: 226 Years Later

226 years ago today, The Federalist first appeared in the pages of New York newspapers. 

Politicians, pundits and wannabe wonks like myself argue over interpretations of the Constitution, rationalizing or excoriating Congress and government for policies and laws based on our understanding of this document.

Luckily, we don't have to rely solely on our own interpretations; We can consult the authors.

Our nation’s founders were principled, intellectual, courageous, and resolute in their tireless efforts to create a blueprint for government strong enough to protect the individual liberties endowed by our creator, yet submissive to the will of the people, through our elected representatives.

But the real miracle of this gathering of giants – is in their foresight in recording and sharing their thoughts, motivations and even fights on their journey, creating such an elegant, simple, and beautiful document.

The Federalist papers are considered to be the most important commentary to the principles of good governance next to the Declaration of Independence in our history, even more important than the Constitution itself. Nearly 40 years after the first publication, Thomas Jefferson said this of the Federalist:

“an authority to which appeal is habitually made by all, and rarely declined or denied by any as evidence of the general opinion of those who framed, and those who accepted the Constitution of the United States, on questions as to its genuine meaning.”

Over the past month or so, I've been reading The Federalist Papers to learn more on the thinking behind the design of the Constitution. The more I read, the more I am I awe over the depth of knowledge and thoughtful approach the framers brought to the task of building a government designed to last.

Starting this week, beginning with the introduction in Number One and continuing through to the Conclusion in Number Eighty-Five, I’ll present my understanding of the essays, and what I feel we can extrapolate from them to apply to the challenges we face today. If you’d like, we can discuss these essays in the comments section; if you have a different take, I’d love to hear it- if you have a question, I’ll try to find the answer myself, or find someone in authority to share their knowledge on the subject at hand.

I am not an expert. I’m just a guy doing my best to understand the blueprints, and share what I learn with other patriots along the way.

We are the ‘posterity’ to whom Thomas Jefferson and John Adams referred with their promise to secure the blessings of liberty in the Preamble to the Constitution. We owe it to OUR posterity, to pick up these treasures left behind – arm ourselves with their knowledge and wisdom –and share it with our fellow countrymen and women. Just like Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay did, beginning on this very day in 1787.