# XXIII: The Necessity of a Government as Energetic as the One Proposed to the Preservation of the Union explained — The Federalist Papers

> Chapter companion for The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton.

## What happens

Hamilton argues that the Union requires a government with sufficient energy and power to achieve its primary objectives: common defense, public peace, regulation of commerce, and foreign relations. He contends that the federal government must possess unlimited authority to raise armies, build fleets, and levy revenues, as national exigencies cannot be foreseen. He criticizes the Articles of Confederation for relying on state compliance and insists that federal laws must operate directly on individual citizens. Hamilton rejects objections about the extent of federal power, asserting that the size of the country actually demands a strong central government to preserve the Union.

## Themes in this chapter

### Federalism and the Necessity of Union

Hamilton emphasizes that a strong Union is essential for common defense and public peace, and that the federal government must have adequate powers to fulfill its trust.

### National Security and Foreign Relations

The chapter focuses on the need for unlimited federal authority to raise armies, build fleets, and manage foreign commerce to protect the nation from external threats.

### Constitutional Interpretation and Authority

Hamilton argues that the extent of federal power must be coextensive with national exigencies, rejecting limitations that would hinder the government's ability to act.

### Economic Prosperity and Commerce

The regulation of commerce with other nations and between states is listed as a principal purpose of the Union, requiring federal authority.

## Character check-ins

### Publius

Author of the essay, addressing the people of New York to advocate for ratification.

### Alexander Hamilton

Likely author of this Federalist Paper, presenting the case for an energetic federal government.

### Congress

Mentioned as having unlimited discretion under the Confederation to make requisitions, but lacking effective power.

## Key lines

> The principal purposes to be answered by union are these—the common defense of the members; the preservation of the public peace, as well against internal convulsions as external attacks; the regulation of commerce with other nations and between the states; the superintendence of our intercourse, political and commercial, with foreign countries.

The main goals of the Union are to provide for collective defense, maintain domestic order, regulate trade both interstate and international, and oversee foreign relations.

_Hamilton outlines the core objectives that justify a strong federal government._

> The means ought to be proportioned to the end; the persons, from whose agency the attainment of any end is expected, ought to possess the means by which it is to be attained.

The resources granted to a government must match the tasks it is assigned; those responsible for achieving a goal must have the necessary tools.

_Hamilton states a fundamental axiom supporting unlimited federal power for national defense._

> If we are in earnest about giving the Union energy and duration, we must abandon the vain project of legislating upon the states in their collective capacities; we must extend the laws of the federal government to the individual citizens of America; we must discard the fallacious scheme of quotas and requisitions, as equally impracticable and unjust.

To make the Union strong and lasting, we must stop trying to govern through the states and instead apply federal laws directly to citizens, abandoning the failed system of state quotas.

_Hamilton criticizes the Confederation's reliance on state compliance and advocates for direct federal authority over individuals._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xxiii-the-necessity-of-a-government-as-energetic-as-the-one-proposed-to-the-preservation-of-the-union
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_federalist_papers_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters