Freeman's Arguments Against The New Constitution

With regard to the contentious attitude towards the new constitution of the United States, a Freeman’s Essay to the People of Connecticut discredits the arguments against the ratification of the new constitution and urges the readers to independently and justly judge the constitution. From the title of the document, the author is clearly pleading to the citizens, specifically of Connecticut, to disregard the eloquently formulated objections by anti-federalists against the constitution and outright denies any validity of these claims. The author’s criticism of the public’s ignorant acceptance of the opinions of influential figures serves to outline a core problem of the ratification of the constitution; the fear that the important values of …show more content…
Even at the author’s introduction, he juxtaposes “the Honorable George Mason/Mr. Gerry” to himself, a “Freeman of Connecticut”. Freeman depicts his lack of influence to relate to the citizens; his own essay is evidence of a regular man contending against all the opinions of the more intelligent. Emulating a citizen of the country, Freeman presents the fears of a republican government with questions such as whether the country will be “happy in a good or wretched in a bad form of government?”, and if all the greatness and freedom of America will be “squandered away?” All these concerns reiterate the thoughts of the citizens about the constitution and the potential new government, and they provide a sense of urgency for the citizens to take action. Freeman portrays himself as a model to persuade his audience to stop conforming to others’ opinions, so he can prevent ignorance being the cause of the constitution’s …show more content…
Throughout the essay, Freeman repeats the word “candor,” in different forms in attempt to deem his essay as complete unprejudiced truth. Thus, when Freeman states that the new constitution achieves “national dignity, respectability, and an energetic form of government,” this statement should be taken as an absolute truth that is being diluted by irrational opinions of others. Freeman presents the republican government as an obviously benevolent improvement, and instead of proving the reasons for the constitution, he disproves all counterarguments against the constitution. Freeman states that the fear of the constitution leading to slavery is ironically a ploy that will “end either in a corrupt aristocracy or absolute monarchy.” Freeman also criticizes this fear by stating that any objective reading of the constitution completely disproves these ludicrous theories without any basis. Freeman sets up the constitution to be a clear beneficial law and further denounces all counterclaims to illustrate how a few people are obstructing the bright future of America and its citizens. And by critically denying all these claims, Freeman demonstrates his unease about the result of the ratification and the possibility for