Maryland Farmer Timeline of the Ratification of the Constitution by Gordon Lloyd

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Ratification of the Constitution

Maryland Farmer Timeline of the Ratification of the Constitution by Gordon Lloyd

1788

March 1788

Mar 7, 1788: Maryland Farmer Essay III (Part 1) (Maryland)

The Antifederalist Maryland Farmer states a common Antifederalist refrain, namely they are the true federalists. “The term federalists is therefore improperly applied to themselves, by the friends and supporters of the proposed constitution. This abuse of language does not help the cause; every degree of imposition serves only to irritate, but can never convince. They are national men, and their opponents, or at least a great majority of them, are federal, in the only true and strict sense of the word.” And a national government is neither practicable nor desirable.

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Mar 18, 1788: Maryland Farmer Essay III (Part 2) (Maryland)

The Antifederalist Maryland Farmer, wary of the emergence of a high-toned social class, urges ordinary Americans to “preserve your jealousy & [for] on the preservation of parties, public liberty depends. Whenever men are unanimous on great public questions, whenever there is but one party, freedom ceases and despotism commences. The object of a free and wise people should be so to balance parties, that from the weakness of all you may be governed by the moderation of the combined judgments of the whole, not tyrannized ever by the blind passions of a few individuals.”

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April 1788

Apr 4, 1788: Maryland Farmer Essay VII (Part 1) (Maryland)

The Antifederalist Maryland Farmer reminds his readers that even though “the law of equality” is the proper foundation of government, there is an inherent tendency in a representative government, however popular, to undermine that foundation. “In all governments in which there is sown the smallest seed of the rule of one man, no checks, no bars can prevent its growing into a monarchy, or a despotism if the empire is extensive.” Under the proposed plan, “the chief magistrate is now clothed with full authority to do good. If he does so, he confirms a solid tyranny for his degenerate successors. For if power does not corrupt him it certainly will those that follow.”

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