Article I

Constitution by Last Best Hope of EarthApril 23, 2023May 8, 2023

Constitution Sunday: “Publius,” The Federalist XLIV [James Madison] Part II

New-York Packet January 25, 1788 The Federalist XLIV [James Madison] Part II Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution has long sparked controversy, granting Congress the power to create necessary and proper laws to execute its other powers. James Madison, in the Federalist Papers, defended this provision against those who deemed it excessive. […]

Constitution by Last Best Hope of EarthFebruary 26, 2023February 26, 2023

Constitution Sunday: “Brutus” X

New York Journal January 24, 1788 History is replete with military coups. At a time when a country’s government has grown weak, the temptation to make drastic change can become overwhelming. Sometimes, rather than wait for the next election, the military makes its move—to the detriment of the democracy, the people, and the chances for […]

Constitution by Last Best Hope of EarthJune 20, 2021June 20, 2021

Constitution Sunday: Oliver Ellsworth defends the Taxing Power and Comments on Dual Sovereignties and Judicial Review

Connecticut Ratifying Convention January 7, 1788 When the Connecticut Ratifying Convention assembled, there were objections against the draft Constitution on the basis that it was “despotic” in its bestowing great power upon Congress: to the objectors, Congress having both the power of the purse and the power of the sword was intolerable. Oliver Ellsworth, however, […]

Constitution by Last Best Hope of EarthMarch 27, 2016March 27, 2016

Constitution Sunday: Rebuttal to “An Officer of the Late Continental Army”: “Plain Truth”

Rebuttal to “An Officer of the Late Continental Army”: “Plain Truth” Independent Gazetteer (Philadelphia), November 10, 1787 Following are excerpts from an article with an unknown author, published as a rebuttal to a reply by an officer of the late Continental Army to James Wilson’s speech: “Congress may ‘provide for calling forth the militia,’ ‘and may […]