BoldlyRide

It is not, however, my design to dwell upon observations of this nature. I am well aware that it would be disingenuous to resolve indiscriminately the opposition of any set of men (merely because their situations might subject them to suspicion) into interested or ambitious views. Candor will oblige us to admit that even such men may be actuated by upright intentions; and it cannot be doubted that much of the opposition which has made its appearance, or may hereafter make its appearance, will spring from sources, blameless at least, if not respectable--the honest errors of minds led astray by preconceived jealousies an fears. (It is not Hamilton's purpose to harp on the self interest and prejudice of those who might oppose the constitution just because circumstances cast suspicion upon them. After all, even "such men" could have good intentions. So let us not consider the polluted wells from which the opposition water comes but treat it as simply misguided rather than selfishly motivated.) So numerous indeed and so powerful are the causes which serve to give a false bias to the judgment, that we, upon many occassions, see wise and good men on the wrong as well as on the right side of quesions of the first magnitude to society. (Besides, there may even be some decent men who oppose the constitution, but let's not forget that they are wrong in this particular matter.) This circumstance, if duly attended to, would furnish a lesson on moderation to those who are ever so much persuaded of their being in the right in any controversy. And a further reason for caution, in this respect, might be drawn from the reflection that we are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are influenced by purer principles than their antagonists. Ambition, avarice, personal animosity, party opposition, and many other motives not more laudable than these, are apt to operate as well upon those who support as those who oppose the right side of a quesion. (Nobody can be right all of the time and even those who, as they should, support the proposed constitution may have improper motives.) Were there not even inducements to moderation, nothing could be more ill-judged than that intolerant spirit which has, at all times, characterized political parties. for in politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution. (So announcements that adoption of this constitution would force grandmothers to live on cat food, that its supporters are nothing but polluters of the environment who would bash in the heads of poor crippled children like so many harp seals, and that the creators of this document are also the same sort of people who, given the opportunity, would form a regime capable of torturing and gassing entire races, cannot be properly calculated to sway opinions.)