Hamilton's Play

"I've been played like a grand piano by the master, Gekko the Great."
--Bud Fox (Wall Street)

In late July of 1789, the state of New York held its constitutional convention. Ratification by New York was not necessary for the United States to come into being, as the Constitution had already been approved by ten states by the time New York representative met. Only nine 'yes' votes were required.

Instead, the state convention essentially became a referendum on whether New York would join the union.

There was opposition. Drawing from the Antifederalist argument, many worried that the central government would grow too big and powerful, thereby marginalizing state sovereignty.

Nonsense, said one of the greatest proponents of strong central government--New York's own Alexander Hamilton. The co-author of the Federalist Papers addressed the convention:

"Gentlemen indulge too many unreasonable apprehensions of danger to the State governments. They seem to suppose that the moment you put men into a national council, they become corrupt and tyrannical and lose all their affection for their fellow citizens. But can we imagine that the Senators will ever be so insensible of their own advantage as to sacrifice the genuine interest of their constituents?"

The Antifederalists certainly imagined it. And it is difficult to argue with the prescience of their vision.

It is also difficult not to surmise that Hamilton was being at least a tad disingenuous with his esteemed colleagues at the state convention. After all, the ink was barely dry after the state signing before he began arguing that the Constitution contained implied powers that granted the federal government greater authority over the states. Post Constitution, Hamilton became perhaps the most vocal proponent of strong central government.

Did the delegates at the New York ratification convention realize that they were being played?