Federalist No. 6
Federalist No. 6 is an essay by Alexander Hamilton, the sixth of The Federalist Papers. It was published on November 14, 1787 under the pseudonym Publius, the name under which all The Federalist papers were published. Arguing for the importance of the Union to the well-being of Americans, Hamilton addresses a theme continued in Federalist No. 7: the danger of dissension among the states if they remain without a strong federal government. No. 6 is titled "Concerning Dangers from Dissensions Between the States"
 Alexander Hamilton, author of Federalist No. 6 | |
| Author | Alexander Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | The Federalist |
| Publisher | The Independent Journal |
Publication date | November 14, 1787 |
| Media type | Newspaper |
| Preceded by | Federalist No. 5 |
| Followed by | Federalist No. 7 |
In Federalist No. 6, Hamilton enumerates different instances of hostility among nations, and suggests that should the States remain separate, such hostilities will befall them as well. Hamilton discusses how the passions and personal interests of men in power, whether they be representatives or monarch, often outweigh the commercial or practical interest of the nation. The people of a nation too are known for ignoring justice and commerce in favor of following immediate passion, often ending in bloody wars that could just as easily become the fate of the American states if they do not unite under a federal constitution. He concludes that nations that exist as neighbors will be natural enemies of one another, unless brought together in a confederate republic with a constitution which will promote harmony through commercial interests rather than competition.[1]
References
- The Federalist Papers
