May 12, 2010 – Federalist No. 11 – Janine Turner
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
Well, I had great fun reading Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist Paper No. 11, especially toward the end of the paper, where he makes a statement regarding Europe:
“The superiority she has long maintained, has tempted her to plume herself as the mistress of the world, and to consider the rest of mankind as created for her benefit. Men, admired as profound philosophers, have, in direct terms, attributed to her inhabitants a physical superiority; and have gravely asserted, that all animals, and with them the human species, degenerate in America; that even dogs cease to bark, after having breathed a while in our atmosphere…. It belongs to us to vindicate the honor of the human race, and to teach that assuming brother moderation. Union will enable us to do it. Disunion will add another victim to his triumphs.”
This statement, once again, exhibits the vision of our Constitutional founding fathers and Publius; strength in numbers, success with unity. They envisioned a United States that could, with her richness, vastness, intellect, unsurpassed spirit of enterprise, and republican virtue compete with Europe and do so with dignity and in a way that would, “vindicate the honor of the human race.”
Other points that I found to be of interest were regarding a strong and unified navy. “The rights of neutrality will only be respected, when they are defended by adequate power. A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.”
This statement is relevant today and is applicable to our current situation regarding 9/11 and terrorism. It is, also, represented by human nature. Bullies only attack the weak. Other nations watch our administration and our country’s stance on defense. If they sense any leniency, or lack of response to attacks on American soil, which is “despicable by its weakness,” then we, as Americans forfeit our privilege of being neutral. Peace is no longer an option for us if we do not exhibit and execute strength – strength politically (a congress that thinks in terms of what is best for America and not factiously), militarily, (readiness and response), and financially (solvency). Strength, also, lay in our resources – our own oil and advances in new fuels.
It is best illustrated by Alexander Hamilton’s own words regarding unity and strength:
“The unequalled spirit of enterprise, which signalizes the
genius of the American merchants and navigators, and which is in itself an inexhaustible mine of national wealth, would be stifled and lost; and poverty and disgrace would overspread a country, which, with wisdom, might make herself the admiration and envy of the world.”
As a final note of relevancy – the many mentions of the phrase, “spirit of enterprise” in the Federalist Papers, in this case, “unequalled spirit of enterprise.” America was built on this spirit – a can do, true grit American determination. The greatness of America will cease with the continuance of a “nanny state.” America was not built with her hand out. America was built with her hands at work.
God Bless,
Janine Turner
5 Responses to “May 12, 2010 – Federalist No. 11 – Janine Turner”
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Billy Statkiewicz says:
Janine i think this is a great thing you are doing with this Blog on the Constitution.
I loved your character on Northern Exposure and any one who has ever watched the show would realize that with hard work , determination and will. You can accomplish great things in the harshest of conditions.
I dont know what has happened to America over the last 25 years or so but it has to change quick. We as a nation cannot go on in the direction that we are headed. This nanny state and its ideologues behind it will forever injure this once great Nation.
As someone in his mid forties , i remember on Flag day in 1976 at my grade school ” South School” in Stoughton, Massachusetts. I read the entire Gettysburgh address to a packed lawn of k-6 graders and all of the parents that could attend , including my mother Mary. She and i were never so proud as to what i accomplished that day, with such a beautiful Speech written by a great american and Former President. Abraham Lincoln.
As much as i like President Obama , i dont agree with a large , MANY of his Policies to date, and i also dont believe someone like himself who has read and studied this great man as i have ,Obama doesnt have Lincolns spirit at heart in his policies. I Think Abe would be quite upset with him if he was alive today. I believe he would even go back to the Cooper Union to give another speech against many of Obamas policies.
Giving Speeches at the places of your idols , does not make you a great President .Obama should consider forging his own History with reasonable policy , that the majority of Americans are behind.
This is a troubling time we live in , and i hope it changes soon. I have met President Clinton and spoken to him. I live my life on the road less traveled and have experienced meeting many great people. I do this because i believe in my country and the path that Great Americans have forged for us in this Nation .
We can only continue when our leaders have a genuine true interest in their hearts and intellect for this Great Nation .
With the help from you and others i have faith that our path will be Righted soon enough.
Janine Keep up the great work and i hope everybody loves to read the History that you have set for us. As much as i have.
Remembering back on Flag Day in 1976 , i cant believe students were suspended for wearing a tee shirt displaying our Precious Flag. The one where brave young men and woman for hundreds of years have shed their precious blood and given up their lives for the country they were taught to believe in and the country i am sure they believed in.
God Bless you and this great nation
William Statkiewicz
Stoughton, Massachusetts. -
Lynne Newcomer says:
Truely ….. I am past being concerned about the current direction of my beloved country.I am overwhelmed and actually fearfull that it is moving so fast that we may not be able to reverse the damage of this Administration coupled with the inertia of these past 20 or 30 years has done. These words of our founding fathers are so inspiring. I am thrilled to read them.
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Susan Craig says:
You said: “America was not built with her hand out. America was built with her hands at work.”
To that I say: AMEN! -
Jeff Hill says:
Your fifth paragraph states our situation accurately and concisely.
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Jocelyn White says:
Janine, I really enjoyed your essay on Hamilton’s paper. The line that grabbed me by the throat? Bullies pick on the weak. I am not by any means a “Hawk” but I do believe our country’s strong Defense is our best Offense. And I think it is shocking the way we don’t support our military monetarily, spiritually, emotionally and physically. It was also interesting to note in today’s news that former astronauts and moonwalkers Neal Armstrong and Gene Cernin are wholeheartedly AGAINST the Obama adminstration’s proposals for our space program. They warn that if that program proceeds, we will lose our place in the space race. And this is about much more than further moon landings and Mars expeditions. Think of satellites, space stations, etc. Were our Founding Fathers seers? Did they have crystal balls much more clear than ours? Sometimes, reading these papers, it would seem so.
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