John Williams | Antifederalist Argument at the New York State Convention, June 1788
One of four delegates from the northern counties of Washington and Clinton, John Williams represented the interests of rural farmers. An ardent Antifederalist, he preferred that political power be focused at local and state levels. But he also expressed deep concern about the loss of traditional values like thrift and hard work, making the nation vulnerable to mercantile and foreign interests.
I believe that this country has never before seen such a critical period in political affairs. We have felt the feebleness of those ties, by which the States are held together, and the want of that energy which is necessary to manage our general concerns. . . . Indeed, Sir, it appears to me, that many of our present distresses flow from a source very different from the defects in the Confederation. Unhappily for us, immediately after our extrication from a cruel and unnatural war, luxury and dissipation overran the country, banishing all that economy, frugality, and industry, which had been exhibited during the war. . . .
Let us, then, abandon all those foreign commodities which have hitherto deluged our country; which have loaded us with debt, and which, if continued, will forever involve us in difficulties. How many thousands are daily wearing the manufactures of Europe, when by a little industry and frugality, they might wear those of their own country! . . . What dissipation is there from the immoderate use of spirits! Is it not notorious that men cannot be hired, in time of harvest, without giving them, on an average, a pint of rum per day? . . . And, what is worse, the disposition of eight tenths of the commonalty is such, that, if they can get credit, they will purchase unnecessary articles, even to the amount of their crop, before it becomes merchantable. . . . [T]he best government ever devised, without economy and frugality will leave us in a situation no better than the present. . . .
[L]et us examine whether it [the Constitution] be calculated to preserve the invaluable blessings of liberty, and secure the inestimable rights of mankind. . . . [I]f it be found to contain principles that will lead to the subversion of liberty, . . . let us insist upon the necessary alterations and amendments. . . .
In forming a constitution for a free country like this, the greatest care should be taken to define its powers, and guard against an abuse of authority. The Constitution should be so formed as not to swallow up the State governments: the general government ought to be confined to certain national objects; and the States should retain such powers, as concern their own internal police. . . . The number of representatives is, in my opinion, too small to resist corruption. Sir, how guarded is our State Constitution on this head! The number of senate and house of representatives proposed in the Constitution does not surpass those of our State. How great the disparity, when compared with the aggregate number of the United States! . . . Can it be supposed that six men can be a complete representation of the various orders of people of this State?
Source: New York State Ratification Convention, Minutes, June 21, 1788.
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