Founding generation wisdom

In November of 1787-1788, the debate over ratification of the new Constitution was in full swing. Influential men such as Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Sam Adams and Richard Henry Lee opposed the new form of government, and said so in speeches (Henry) and anonymous essays that appeared in newspapers. To counter the opposition, John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton joined forces to write responses to criticisms. Both sides signed essays with Roman pseudonyms like Brutus, Cato, Agrippa, Candidus. Jay, Madison and Hamilton signed their work "Publius", after one of the founders of the Roman republic. The Publius essays come down to us as the very influential Federalist Papers. Objections and supporting arguments were based in principle, setting a high tone for this high stakes exercise. In the end, Publius had published 85 essays, the so-called Anti-Federalists at least as many - plus two thundering speeches by Patrick Henry. Reading this exchange, articulate and engaging, makes me wish for some of that in our fractious political environment. But in 1788 it was understood you had to give your reasons, to persuade, not merely toss off personal attacks and specious claims. It was the Age of Reason. In the end, Publius was successful. The Constitution was ratified, but only by a few votes in the big states. It probably helped that the revered George Washington had been president of the Constitutional Convention, lending at least his tacit support to the new government structure.