The anti-federalists argued that the Constitution represented a step away from the democratic goals of the American Revolution and toward the monarchy and aristocracy. Thus, they felt it gave too much power to the federal government and took a lot of power away from state and local governments. In addition, they believed that the federal government would be too far removed to represent the average citizen. Moreover, they feared the nation was too big for the national government to respond to the concerns of people on a state and local basis. Last, they worried that the original text of the Constitution did not contain a bills of rights. The anti-federalists believed that the new system threatened liberties, and failed to protect individual rights. They wanted guaranteed protection for certain basic liberties, such as freedom of speech and trial by jury. Although the anti-federalists could not prevent the prevention of the adoption of the Constitution, their efforts were not entirely in vain; they were responsible for the creation and implementation of the Bill of …show more content…
First, slavery is referred in the Constitution in Article I, Section 2. This clause explains the apportionment of representation and taxation. As it states, “Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other Persons. Here slavery is implied by the phrase “all other persons.” Second, slavery is implied in Article 1, Section 9. This section talks about the issues of importation and taxation of the slave trade. As it claims, “The Migration and Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.” Third, Article IV, Section 2 makes the last implication of slavery under the Constitution. This is the fugitive-slave clause. This clause says, “No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom Service or Labour may