The Constitution attacks the rights of the people. In Patrick Henry’s speech to the Virginia Ratification Congress on June, 7 1788, Patrick Henry strongly opposes the ratification of the new constitution. He considers the Constitution to be an attack on liberty, because it strengthens the national, or central, government. Henry expects the government, especially the President, to turn tyrannical, and expects the United States to transform into a dictatorial state because of the absolute powers granted to Congress and the President. Henry specifically critiques the power of the Congress to maintain a standing army and directly tax the people, and the President’s power to control the judicial system and military. Henry’s flaws with the proposed
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Henry claims that “[a standing army will] execute the execrable commands of tyranny,” which clearly references the British’s actions towards the colonies in the early 1770’s. In the early 1770’s, the British monarchy used the military and their absolute control over the colonies to enforce cruel and unfair taxes such as the Coercive Acts of 1774. Henry clearly fears a repeat of a tyrannical government, and views the maintenance of a standing army as a “stepping stone” for an oppressive legislature. Henry also comments on the lack of resistance that the citizens could show if the constitution went through. Henry claims that because the “militia is given up to Congress,” and “probably, you will not have a single musket in the State,” that any resistance would be “madness”. Essentially, Henry fears that when Congress decides to “enslave” the populace, which he views as inevitable, the people of the United States need a way to defend themselves, and under the proposed system, the right and ability to defend for the people of the US to defend themselves against the tyrannical Congress is easily removed. This distrust of Congress, and a strong central government once again links back to the British’s actions in the Revolutionary
Henry claims that “[a standing army will] execute the execrable commands of tyranny,” which clearly references the British’s actions towards the colonies in the early 1770’s. In the early 1770’s, the British monarchy used the military and their absolute control over the colonies to enforce cruel and unfair taxes such as the Coercive Acts of 1774. Henry clearly fears a repeat of a tyrannical government, and views the maintenance of a standing army as a “stepping stone” for an oppressive legislature. Henry also comments on the lack of resistance that the citizens could show if the constitution went through. Henry claims that because the “militia is given up to Congress,” and “probably, you will not have a single musket in the State,” that any resistance would be “madness”. Essentially, Henry fears that when Congress decides to “enslave” the populace, which he views as inevitable, the people of the United States need a way to defend themselves, and under the proposed system, the right and ability to defend for the people of the US to defend themselves against the tyrannical Congress is easily removed. This distrust of Congress, and a strong central government once again links back to the British’s actions in the Revolutionary