Fun interview Sheldon. I purchased your book and look forward to its contribution.
RE "We, the People", an intersting note from Tom Woods book Nullification:
"...the original text of the Constitution indeed began "We, the States." The change to "We, the People," was made by the Committee on Style. The reason was that it was impossible to know in advance which states would choose to ratify the Constitution ans which would not. Thus, anything in the form "We, the People of the States of..." or "We, the States of..." would have been purely conjectural, and perhaps even insulting to state populations that would have been suspicious enough of the new Constitution without its Preamble seeming to take their approval for granted."
Also, here are a couple of my favorite talks from Don Livingston:
Thomas Jefferson and Republicanism (hint: SIZE MATTERS) http://www.c-span.org/video/?316075-1/thomas-jefferson-republicanism
Jeffersonian vs Lincolnian America (or anti-federalist vs federalist america) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S96iQYL0bw
Also, just about done with a great book on Jefferson's political theory: http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-State-Union-Political-Jefferson/dp/088146287X
Jeff Tucker interviewed the author here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTFtdvRa84
Forgive me for linking you all this stuff. Just love this history.
Thanks, SB. Whatever reason they had, of course, the framers wrote, "We, the people," and that drew adverse reaction from Patrick Henry and others, who saw it as a sign that the new US would not be a confederation of sovereign states at all, but rather a "consolidated" government. The Federalists apparently did not deny this, which is no surprise given their animosity to the states. The most Madison did was argue for dual sovereignty, a tricky concept at the least. I don't see "We, the people" as less presumptuous than "We, the states."
Fun interview Sheldon. I purchased your book and look forward to its contribution.
ReplyDeleteRE "We, the People", an intersting note from Tom Woods book Nullification:
"...the original text of the Constitution indeed began "We, the States." The change to "We, the People," was made by the Committee on Style. The reason was that it was impossible to know in advance which states would choose to ratify the Constitution ans which would not. Thus, anything in the form "We, the People of the States of..." or "We, the States of..." would have been purely conjectural, and perhaps even insulting to state populations that would have been suspicious enough of the new Constitution without its Preamble seeming to take their approval for granted."
Also, here are a couple of my favorite talks from Don Livingston:
Thomas Jefferson and Republicanism (hint: SIZE MATTERS)
http://www.c-span.org/video/?316075-1/thomas-jefferson-republicanism
Jeffersonian vs Lincolnian America (or anti-federalist vs federalist america)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S96iQYL0bw
Also, just about done with a great book on Jefferson's political theory:
http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-State-Union-Political-Jefferson/dp/088146287X
Jeff Tucker interviewed the author here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WTFtdvRa84
Forgive me for linking you all this stuff. Just love this history.
Thanks, SB. Whatever reason they had, of course, the framers wrote, "We, the people," and that drew adverse reaction from Patrick Henry and others, who saw it as a sign that the new US would not be a confederation of sovereign states at all, but rather a "consolidated" government. The Federalists apparently did not deny this, which is no surprise given their animosity to the states. The most Madison did was argue for dual sovereignty, a tricky concept at the least. I don't see "We, the people" as less presumptuous than "We, the states."
ReplyDeleteI agree Sheldon, just thought it was an interesting tidbit I had not known before.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased some Lysander Spooner stuff. I guess I'm in for a treat eh?
Yes, indeed! Enjoy!
ReplyDelete