Page:Federalist, Dawson edition, 1863.djvu/42

xl New Constitution, written in 1788 by Mr., Mr. and Mr. ,' to commend to the calm consideration and deliberate approval of the People of the United States that great instrument of Government, illustrating, by their consummate ability, a rare combination of the powers of the human intellect in expounding truth in elementary discussion, no less than the profound knowledge and wisdom of the writers, conveyed in the simplest and most convincing style, have so triumphantly accomplished that great design, that nothing more seems required to the full knowledge and understanding of the one, than a perfect familiarity with the other. Hence, I regard as of the utmost importance, the enterprise in which your letter informs me you are engaged of preparing for the press a new edition of The Federalist with the aid of such authentic materials as you mention have been placed in your hands, intended to throw additional light upon the early history of that great work, and thereby give it additional interest in the eyes of the American People.

"The enterprise has peculiar importance at this great epoch of our history. Had there been more students of The Federalist, there would have been fewer intellects scathed by the delirium of Secession. Had more of our modern statesmen erected their knowledge of the theory and principles of their Government upon the solid and sure foundation to be derived from every page of that work, rather than the miserable one of ignorant fanatical discussion, sectional jealousy, and ill-weaved sectional ambition, the halls of Congress would never have been partially deserted for fields of civil strife; nor would the future historian of this country be compelled to chronicle a gigantic and infamous Rebellion, which, while it checked, for a time, the amazing prosperity, served only to