Anti-Federalist Speech

We went to war with Great Britain, and for what? Did we not fight them in order to escape monarchy? They have taxed us without our consent, they have violated our homes with their troops, they have forbidden out most fundamental rights: Life, Liberty, and Property. Does this new constitution not do the same? The new constitution may contain many intriguing aspects, but beware. Will this constitution take away our rights, our freedom, our sovereignty? We must be wary of this constitution or else our 'president' will become a tyrant.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness..." We must be on alert about our rights, for this 'constitution' will allow our governments to take away our 'unalienable' rights. We have paid for our liberty with our blood, our lives, and our loved ones. Why must we take chances with a document that does not guarantee success? The need for a Bill of Rights is essential. Without the Bill of Rights, we are bound to face many issues: Our nation will split in two; we will have another Revolutionary War.

Through out history, we have seen political leaders starving for power. And with this starvation, countries have been left with little freedom. To prevent this from happening, we must create a document, a document serves as a defense against our government, a document that will guarantee our freedom, a document that will set us apart from other countries.

Our liberty is what many dream about having, but is also what kings, tyrants, and monarchs fear of. Without a Bill of Rights, we will be like servants to the government. Is this not why we broke away from Great Britain? I ask you, what is the point of changing the political system if our rights are hanging by a thread? The success in this new nation depends on whether or not the Bill of Rights exists. "[W]ithout a Bill of Rights, you will exhibit the most absurd thing to mankind that ever the world saw a government that has abandoned all its powers the powers of taxation, the sword, and the purse" (Patrick Henry 1780s)

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