The Federalist Papers

by Alexander Hamilton

to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good Government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.

that a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people

History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.

In the mild season of peace, with minds unoccupied by other subjects, they passed many months in cool, uninterrupted, and daily consultation;

without having been awed by power, or influenced by any passions except love for their country,

recommended to the people the plan produced by their joint and ver...