Federalist 51 essay

The Federalist 51 lays out the “federal principle”. It is the notion that a "compound republic" is the best protection against reproaches by any set of would-be rulers and/or a factious majority of the people. The purpose of Federalist 51 is to "form a more correct judgment of the principles and structure of the government planned by the Constitutional Convention". In the document, it is informing the reader of the safeguards and the separate branches of government, and to protect the rights of the people. Since the beginning of time, we have always had a right to our natural rights. They should never be taken away from us. And when they are taken away from us, someone needs to be punished for taking them away from us.

One of the difficulties of Federalist 51 is the argument about factions or no factions. I don’t think that Madison ever meant to fully get rid of factions. Madison just wanted to make sure that no one could take away another person's rights. The constitution and the declaration of independence guarantees certain rights for anyone, so that even if there are factions they all have to follow and abide by the same laws. Some difficulties, however, and some additional expense would attend the execution of it. Some deviations, therefore, from the principle must be admitted. In the constitution of the judiciary department in particular, it might be inexpedient to insist rigorously on the principle: first, because peculiar qualifications being essential in the members, the primary consideration ought to be to select that mode of choice which best secures these qualifications; secondly, because the permanent tenure by which the appointments are held in that department, must soon destroy all sense of dependence on the authority conferring them.

Madison famously points that "if men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government.” In so doing he clearly clarifies the nature of the problem -that in order to govern a government must secure the consent of the people to do so, and then prevent the potential of abusing the people by constraining itself against the nature of man, which is to follow his own ambition. This is the paradox Madison mentioned in the article.

The primary control is also very important matter in this article. It states that the people of the country has the right to vote in elections every four years to determine who will be in government and who will be in charge for the next four years. The primary control is government’s “dependence on the people”, which is provided by, the consent of the people to be governed. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions” (Federalist 51).  As a country, we do need a system of organization. Which for us is the Government. The Government is there to keep this country organized and from falling down.

Auxiliary Precautions is the structure of the government. It controls the internal checks and balances. “In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. We as a republican country have put our faith and trust that the government will know what to do with their powers. And enforce the separation of powers.

Essay #2

What about the U.S. Constitution was inspired?

“After two centuries, every nation in the world except six have adopted written constitutions, and the U.S. Constitution was a model for all of them. No wonder modern revelation says that God established the U.S. Constitution and that it ‘should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.’” (D&C 101:77.) They say that it was a miracle that they could draft and ratify the Constitution. They never thought that it would pass. But with Gods help and their faith, they were able to pass the U.S. Constitution.

There are five different reasons why the U.S. Constitution was inspired: Separation of Powers, A Written Bill of Rights, Division of Powers, Popular Sovereignty, and the Rule of Law and not of Men. Because of these reasons, the government had just reasons to start he constitution. George Washington was one of the first to say that the constitution was a miracle. “It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states  (which states you know are also different from each other in their manners. Circumstances, and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national government, so little liable to well-founded objections.” (George Washington).

The separation of powers is a political doctrine originating from the United States Constitution. It helped the legislative, executive, and judicial branches from abusing their powers. Each state wanted their individual government and laws.  So they created the Separation of Powers.

The written bill of rights allows free exercise of religion. It also created a speedy trial by impartial jury, and guarantee that a person will not be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. President Ezra Taft Benson has said, “Reason necessity, tradition, and religious conviction all lead me to accept the divine origin of these rights.”

The U.S. Constitution also inspired the division of powers. Which divides government powers between the nation and the various states. The division of powers assigns certain powers to the national government and other powers to the states.

“That every man may act … according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. “Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. “And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land.” (D&C 101:78–80.)  All men have free agency, but consequences come along with that agency. Men are responsible for themselves, and their family, but no one else.

The rule of law states that no man is above the law. All men must abide with the laws or will be punished. There are some cases of expectations when it comes to leaders in the United States. President J. Reuben Clark said, “Our allegiance run[s] to the Constitution and to the principles which it embodies, and not to individuals.” We are all equals according the constitution, declaration of independence, and to God.

How is it that the U.S. Constitution was inspired?

“It is as a result of these events that we are able to meet today in peace as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ. For this we should all be eternally grateful.” (Ezra Taft Benson). Because if the decisions our leaders made long ago, we are able to have freedom of speech and religion. And I know that because of this, I am leaving a blessed life and for that I am eternally grateful. “I desire, therefore, to speak to you about our divine Constitution, which the Lord said, “belongs to all mankind” (D&C 98:5). Every man on earth was meant to have free agency for themselves and their families. But not too long ago, some people were not allowed to choose for themselves and were forced to have owners or a strict government and leaders. But God meant for everyone to have agency. And soon enough, we created the Constitution and were able to live in a free country. Therefore, it is now illegal to take away our natural rights, Life, Liberty, and Property (The Pursuit of Happiness).  

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” (Ezra Taft Benson). We should all have trust in God because He has done these things for us. He put the founding fathers on this earth at the right time to be able to create these laws. And for that, we should all be thankful. God knows when things need to become known to man on earth, He has everything planned, and made out for us. He knew that if we fought hard enough for our own constitution and had faith in him, then one day it would happen.

The Founding fathers were humble and had faith which led to inspiration from God. They had a firm belief in God and knew He wouldn’t let them down. They knew we, as a people, had the right to ratify the constitution.  “The Lord knoweth all things from the beginning,” said Nephi, “wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men” (1 Ne. 9:6). This is enough proof to me that God has molded us and prepared us to fight for what we believe in. The constitution was given to us at the right moment and time, and only God knows why then in the 1700’s that it was the right time for the constitution to come forth unto man.