The American Constitution for and Against: The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers

by J.R. Pole (Editor)

Collects essays and speeches from 1787 to 1788 debating the merits of the proposed United States Constitution

339 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Jack Richon Pole was Rhodes Professor Emeritus of American History and Institutions at St. Catherine's College, Oxford.

Reviews

[Sam Kauffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A necessary companion piece to understanding the Federalist Papers. In particular, I highly recommend Moncton Smith’s June 21, 1788 speech. He convincingly describes the nature of class in American society and the need to ensure that actual members of the middle class serve as representatives in government.

Also of particular note are the speeches by Patrick Henry and George Mason. The latter raises the all too prescient warning that the president has the power to pardon traitors who committed their acts at the president’s behest.