When the delegates of the states met in Philadelphia they wanted to revise the Articles of Confederation. Instead they tried to create a more perfect union.
The dominant group of delegates favored the creation of a powerful central government. They were rich, well educated white men who felt that vast majority of the people were not capable of governing themselves. In their opinion in order to form a more perfect union the decisions should be made by enlightened men like themselves.
The Federalists knew the Constitution would not and could not be enforced due to the ignorance and apathy of the people. On paper the power was vested in the people, but Federalists knew that rich and powerful individuals would be calling the shots.In order to get the Constitution ratified they would have to convince the people that their the Constitution would prevent the government from abusing the rights of the people.
Of the 55 men who signed the Declaration of independence only six signed the Constitution. Most of the who refused to sign the Constitution believed that it gave too much power to the national government and that it would ultimately abuse the rights of the people it was created to protect.
Before the ink on the Constitution was even dry, George Washington violated the Constitution when he did not veto the bill that created the National Bank.John Adams revealed his commitment to the Constitution when he failed to veto the Alien and Sedition. To evaluate our elected officials we need to ignore what they say and focus on what they do.
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