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Federalists vs. Anti-federalists documents Document A: Anti-federalist Position Melancton Smith, June 21, 1788 [Representatives] should be a true picture of the people, possess a knowledge of their circumstances and their wants, sympathize in all their distresses, and be disposed to seek their true interests….[T]he number of representatives should be so large, as that, while it embraces the men of the first class, it should admit those of the middling class of life. I am convinced that this government is so constituted that the representatives will generally be composed of the first class in the community, which I shall distinguish by the name of the natural aristocracy of the country.

In every society, men of this [aristocratic] class will command a superior degree of respect; and if the government is so constituted as to admit but few to exercise the powers of it, it will, according to the natural course of things, be in their hands. Men in the middling class, who are qualified as representatives, will not be so anxious to be chosen as those of the first. When the number is so small, the office will be highly elevated and distinguished; the style in which the members live will probably be high; circumstances of this kind will render the place of a representative not a desirable one to sensible, substantial men, who have been used to walk in the plain and frugal paths of life….

A substantial yeoman, of sense and discernment, will hardly ever be chosen. From these remarks, it appears that the government will fall into the hands of the few and the great. This will be a government of oppression….The great consider themselves above the common people, entitled to more respect, do not associate with them; they fancy themselves to have a right of preeminence in every thing.Document B: Federalist PositionAlexander Hamilton, June 21, 1788It has been farther, by the gentlemen in opposition [Antifederalists], observed, that a large representation is necessary to understand the interests of the people.

This principle is by no means true in the extent to which the gentleman seems to carry it. I would ask, why may not a man understand the interests of thirty [thousand] as well as of twenty?It is a harsh doctrine, that men grow wicked in proportion as they improve and enlighten their minds. Experience has by no means justified us in the supposition, that there is more virtue in one class of men than in another. Look through the rich and the poor of the community; the learned and the ignorant. Where does virtue predominate?

The difference indeed consists, not in the quantity but kind of vices, which are incident to the various classes; and here the advantage of character belongs to the wealthy. Their vices are probably more favorable to the prosperity of the state, than those of the indigent; and partake less of moral depravity.Federalists v. Anti-Federalists ChartRead the two documents and then complete this chart.Document A: Anti-FederalistsMelacton SmithDocument B: FederalistsAlexander HamiltonIs this person happy with how the new Constitution deals with representation?

NoNo Nooo NoYesWhat kind of government would this person like to see?WeakStrongFind a quote to support your claim.“[Representatives should be a true picture of the people”“I would ask, why may not a man understand the interests of thirty [thousand] as well as of twenty?”Based on this document, what sort of people in society would support this point of view?Working ClassAristocracy Submit the chart and then vote on whether you support anti-federalists or federalists.(150 words or more)You must post one response answering the question.

 It must be at least 150 words and must include a quotation from the primary source.I strongly support anti-federalists because their views tend to favor the working class people. These people do understand the fact that the representatives from the class from which they are elected will aspire to further the interests of that class in pursuance of the existence of a natural conflict of interest as Smith says, “while it embraces the men of the first class, it should admit those of the middling class of life”.

Thereby if the government based on these people tends to get strong at the centre, they will look to it that they appropriate the national resources and the opportunities for growth and development in a way that favors the aristocratic class and sidelines or perhaps marginalizes the working class people. This is contrary to the free spirit of the nation and will go against the basic human rights and liberal values. Thereby the government should be base on the election of a large number of representatives who are chosen from every walk of life and who represent every social class, group and locale.