Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds... Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel... Show me that age and country where the rights and liberties of the people were placed on the sole chance of their rulers being good men, without a consequent loss of liberty?
- Patrick Henry, 1788
Why was Henry against ratifying the US Constitution?
• He believed the US Constitution was too similar to the Articles of Confederation.
• He believed the US Constitution was too similar to the constitution of Great Britain.
• He feared that the government created by the US Constitution would be too strong.
• He feared that the government created by the US Constitution would be too strong.
The correct answer is: He feared that the government created by the US Constitution would be too strong.
Patrick Henry was against ratifying the US Constitution because he feared that the government created by the US Constitution would be too strong. He believed that the rights and liberties of the people should not be solely dependent on the rulers being good men. In his quote, Henry expresses the importance of suspicion as a virtue when it comes to guarding the public good and protecting the public liberty. He argues that the people should be cautious and skeptical of any governmental power that might encroach upon their rights and freedoms.
The correct answer is:
• He feared that the government created by the US Constitution would be too strong.
To arrive at this answer, we need to analyze the quote and Patrick Henry's position during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. In this quote, Patrick Henry emphasizes the importance of suspicion and vigilance in protecting public liberty. He argues that the rights and liberties of the people should not solely rely on having good rulers but should instead be safeguarded against any potential abuses of power.
During the Constitutional Convention, Patrick Henry was a prominent Anti-Federalist, meaning he opposed the ratification of the US Constitution. He argued that the proposed Constitution gave too much power to the central government and lacked appropriate safeguards for individual liberties. He feared that this strong central government could infringe upon the rights and freedoms of the people.
Therefore, among the given options, the most accurate reason for Patrick Henry's opposition to ratifying the US Constitution is that he feared the government created by it would be too strong.