During the creation of the American Constitution, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton played an important role in the way the Constitution came to be. Before becoming members on George Washington’s cabinet, Jefferson and Hamilton had critical roles that led them to creating and enforcement of the constitution. “Jefferson vs Hamilton: Confrontations That Shaped a Nation” by Noble E. Cunningham, captures the constant agreement problems between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.
Thomas Jefferson had his own interpretation of the constitution, Jefferson believed the constitution should be strictly enforced. He believed the governments powers were limited to exactly what the constitution states. This was merely supposed to be used as guidance. Jefferson expressed his fear that monarchial federalists sough to use the new government as a stepping some to monarchy, instead of presenting the government in its present form (pg.78). Jefferson supported the federal system where the states had primarily the right to govern
themselves. Thomas Jefferson was a supporter and leader of the Republican party.”Jefferson swathe alien and sedition laws as an attempt to silence Republican newspapers, to drive Republican minded aliens from the country and as an experiment on the American mind to see how far it will bear on avowed violation of the Constitution.””(pg.115)
In Jefferson’s letter to Elbridge Jerry, he discussed his political views on everything that was happening and how it should. Jefferson believed in not having a standing army, that it was not needed in a time of peace. The American government has almost always been in debt and Jefferson wanted to pay it all off. “For freedom of the press & against all violations of the constitution to silence by force & not by reason the complaints or criticisms, just or unjust, of our citizens against the conduct of their agents.” (pg.126)
Alexander Hamilton supported his own political interpretation of the constitution. Unlike Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton believed in a loose interpretation; which meant they had powers beyond what the constitution stated. Hamilton supported a strong central government in foreign relations with far reaching powers to secure the right of the people. He interprets broadly and thinks the government can do whatever is necessary. “Hamilton provided proposals to provide government bounties to encourage manufacturing.” (pg.75)
Unlike Jefferson, Hamilton preferred a national military, the usage of industry’s and commerce. As a federalist Hamilton saw the constitution as a guideline rather than the rules. He also saw the bank as a necessity to take care of the governments financial needs and thought the rich were the best to make decisions and lead. Hamilton’s view on the constitution in my point of view is the correct way. His view allows for human error in the sense that no one can be perfect and everything happens for a reason unlike Jefferson and his views.
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had many views on the Constitution. Both men interpreted the Constitution from what they thought it meant and how it should be carried out. They wanted what was best for the country but saw different means in the end. Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton both had interpretations on the Constitution. Jefferson and the Republican part had the right interpretation in my point of view on how the Constitution should be carried out.
