The Road to Philadelphia: Nationalists in Search of Energy and Supremacy

Abstract

Hamilton was apparently the first to suggest holding a national convention to draft a new constitution that would establish a powerful central government. It was to have independent power to tax citizens and determine how to allocate the funds. It would also have implied powers to implement national programs. Madison endorsed a convention to institute national supremacy and intimated that the states should be “in force … so far as they can be subordinately useful.” At this stage, both Madison and Jefferson acknowledged the importance of an implied powers doctrine for the national government. They felt that failure to act could lead to dismemberment of the Union.

I do not conceive we can exist long as a nation, without having lodged somewhere a power which will pervade the whole union in as energetic a manner, as the authority of the different state governments extends over the several States. To be fearful of investing Congress, constituted as that body is, with ample authorities for national purposes, appears to me the very climax of popular absurdity and madness.

George Washington ¹

Energy in Government is essential to that security against external and internal danger, and to that prompt and salutary execution of the laws, which enter into the very definition of good Government.

James Madison ²

In every proceeding of the Convention where the question of paramountship in the laws of the Union could be involved, the necessity of it appears to have been taken for granted.

James Madison ³