Preservation of Public Peace

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 138 views

The Union's Purpose: Evaluating the Truth of Federalist 23

In the realm of American history, the Federalist Papers hold significant importance as they provide insight into the minds of the Founding Fathers and the principles that guided the creation of the United States. One of the most influential papers, Federalist 23, penned by Alexander Hamilton, outlines the purposes of the union. The quote in question states, "The principal purposes to be answered by the union are the common defense of the members; the preservation of the public peace as well against internal convulsions as external." In this article, we will delve into the context of Federalist 23 and evaluate the truth of this quote.

Federalist 23 was written in 1788, during the ratification process of the United States Constitution. Alexander Hamilton, one of the key authors of the Federalist Papers, aimed to persuade the citizens of New York to support the Constitution. In this paper, Hamilton addressed the concerns of those who feared that a strong central government would lead to the loss of individual liberties and the concentration of power.

Hamilton argued that the union was necessary to achieve several key purposes. Firstly, he emphasized the importance of a common defense, stating that the union would provide a unified military force to protect its members from external threats. This was a crucial point, as the newly independent states were vulnerable to attacks from European powers and Native American tribes.

Hamilton also highlighted the need for a unified government to preserve public peace, both internally and externally. He argued that a strong central government would be better equipped to deal with internal conflicts, such as those arising from regional differences and economic disparities. By maintaining public peace, the union would also be able to prevent external threats from taking advantage of internal divisions.

The concept of internal convulsions refers to the potential for civil unrest, rebellion, or other forms of internal conflict. Hamilton recognized that the newly independent states were prone to such convulsions, given their diverse populations and regional differences. He argued that a strong central government would be better able to manage these conflicts and maintain public order.

Hamilton also emphasized the importance of a unified government in dealing with external threats. He argued that a strong central government would be better equipped to negotiate with foreign powers, secure trade agreements, and defend against external attacks.

In light of the context and purpose of Federalist 23, we can evaluate the truth of the quote. The quote states that the principal purposes of the union are the common defense of the members and the preservation of public peace, both against internal convulsions and external threats.

Common Defense

The common defense is a fundamental purpose of the union, as Hamilton argued that a unified military force would be necessary to protect its members from external threats. This purpose is still relevant today, as the United States continues to maintain a strong military to protect its citizens and interests.

Preservation of Public Peace

The preservation of public peace is also a crucial purpose of the union. Hamilton argued that a strong central government would be better equipped to deal with internal conflicts and maintain public order. While the United States has experienced its share of internal conflicts, the union has generally been successful in maintaining public peace and preventing external threats from taking advantage of internal divisions.

Internal Convulsions

The concept of internal convulsions is still relevant today, as the United States continues to grapple with issues such as regional differences, economic disparities, and social inequality. While the union has made significant progress in addressing these issues, there is still much work to be done to maintain public peace and prevent internal convulsions.

External Threats

The threat of external attacks remains a significant concern for the United States, as the country continues to face challenges from terrorist organizations, rogue states, and other external actors. A strong central government remains essential in dealing with these threats and maintaining national security.

In conclusion, the quote from Federalist 23 is largely true. The principal purposes of the union, as outlined by Alexander Hamilton, remain relevant today. The common defense, preservation of public peace, and management of internal convulsions and external threats continue to be essential purposes of the union. While the United States has made significant progress in achieving these purposes, there is still much work to be done to maintain public peace, prevent internal convulsions, and protect against external threats.

Federalist 23, Alexander Hamilton
The Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
The American Nation: A History of the United States, Theodore Corbett
The Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution, Jane E. Calvert

The Federalist Papers: A Reader's Guide, Robert A. Ferguson
The American Constitution: A History, Akhil Reed Amar
The Oxford Handbook of American History, Jane E. Calvert
The Cambridge History of the United States, David M. Kennedy
Q&A: Evaluating the Truth of Federalist 23

In our previous article, we explored the context and purpose of Federalist 23, a pivotal paper written by Alexander Hamilton during the ratification process of the United States Constitution. The quote in question states, "The principal purposes to be answered by the union are the common defense of the members; the preservation of the public peace as well against internal convulsions as external." In this Q&A article, we will delve into the key questions and answers related to the quote and its relevance to the United States today.

A: Federalist 23 is a crucial paper in the Federalist Papers series, written by Alexander Hamilton in 1788. It outlines the purposes of the union and addresses the concerns of those who feared that a strong central government would lead to the loss of individual liberties and the concentration of power.

A: According to Federalist 23, the principal purposes of the union are the common defense of the members and the preservation of public peace, both against internal convulsions and external threats.

A: The common defense refers to the unified military force that the union provides to protect its members from external threats. This purpose is still relevant today, as the United States continues to maintain a strong military to protect its citizens and interests.

A: The preservation of public peace refers to the union's ability to maintain order and prevent internal conflicts, such as those arising from regional differences and economic disparities. This purpose is also still relevant today, as the United States continues to grapple with issues such as social inequality and regional differences.

A: Internal convulsions refer to the potential for civil unrest, rebellion, or other forms of internal conflict. Hamilton recognized that the newly independent states were prone to such convulsions, given their diverse populations and regional differences.

A: External threats refer to the potential for attacks from foreign powers, terrorist organizations, or other external actors. Hamilton argued that a strong central government would be better equipped to deal with these threats and maintain national security.

A: Yes, the quote from Federalist 23 remains relevant today. The common defense, preservation of public peace, and management of internal convulsions and external threats continue to be essential purposes of the union.

A: Some of the challenges facing the United States today include regional differences, economic disparities, social inequality, and external threats from terrorist organizations and rogue states.

A: The union can address these challenges by maintaining a strong central government, investing in education and economic development, and promoting social justice and equality.

A: The federal government plays a crucial role in maintaining national security by providing a unified military force, negotiating with foreign powers, and securing trade agreements.

In conclusion, the quote from Federalist 23 remains a relevant and important statement about the purposes of the union. The common defense, preservation of public peace, and management of internal convulsions and external threats continue to be essential purposes of the union. By understanding the significance of Federalist 23, we can better appreciate the challenges facing the United States today and the role of the federal government in addressing these challenges.

Federalist 23, Alexander Hamilton
The Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
The American Nation: A History of the United States, Theodore Corbett
The Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution, Jane E. Calvert

The Federalist Papers: A Reader's Guide, Robert A. Ferguson
The American Constitution: A History, Akhil Reed Amar
The Oxford Handbook of American History, Jane E. Calvert
The Cambridge History of the United States, David M. Kennedy