The Federalist Papers · Chapter
The Same Subject Continued, and the Incoherence of the Objections to the New Plan Exposed explained
Publius exposes the contradictory and incoherent objections raised against the proposed Constitution, demonstrating that critics cannot agree among themselves on specific flaws.
What happens
Publius exposes the contradictory and incoherent objections raised against the proposed Constitution, demonstrating that critics cannot agree among themselves on specific flaws. He argues that the existing Confederation is far more defective, possessing dangerous powers without proper structure, and that the new plan, though imperfect, is a clear improvement. He also highlights how Congress has already overstepped its constitutional limits out of necessity, underscoring the need for a government with regular and adequate powers.
Themes in this chapter
Constitutional Interpretation and Authority
Publius argues that Congress has already acted beyond its constitutional limits, showing the danger of a government without regular powers and the need for a properly structured constitution.
Republican Government and Representation
The chapter addresses conflicting objections about representation in the Senate and House, and the proper distribution of powers among branches.
Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
Publius highlights the intermixing of legislative, executive, and judiciary powers in the proposed plan and contrasts it with the dangerous concentration of all powers in the existing Congress.
Characters to notice
- Publius
The authorial voice systematically refutes the scattered objections to the Constitution and defends the necessity of the new plan.
- Congress
Mentioned as the existing single-body legislature that has already exercised dangerous powers and overleaped constitutional limits out of necessity.
- Lycurgus
Referenced as the Spartan lawgiver who made his constitution unchangeable until his return from exile, used as a metaphor for the proposed Constitution's stability.
Key passages
“No man would refuse to give brass for silver or gold, because the latter had some alloy in it. No man would refuse to quit a shattered and tottering habitation for a firm and commodious building, because the latter had not a porch to it...”
No one would reject a clear improvement just because it isn't perfect; the new Constitution is far better than the flawed Confederation.
Publius uses a metaphor to argue that the Constitution, though imperfect, is vastly superior to the existing system.
“Is an indefinite power to raise money dangerous in the hands of the federal government? The present Congress can make requisitions to any amount they please... Is an indefinite power to raise troops dangerous? The Confederation gives to Congress that power also...”
If critics fear the new government's powers, they should be even more alarmed by the same powers already held by the Confederation Congress without any checks.
Publius turns the objections against the Constitution back onto the Articles of Confederation, showing its greater dangers.
“A dissolution or usurpation is the dreadful dilemma to which it is continually exposed.”
A government without adequate constitutional powers is constantly at risk of either falling apart or seizing power illegally.
Publius warns that the current Confederation's weakness forces it into a choice between collapse or overstepping its authority.