Federalists Pt. 2 C. Dickson

"If we are wise enough to preserve the Union we may for ages enjoy an advantage similar to that of an insulated situation. Europe is at a great distance from us. Her colonies in our vicinity will be likely to continue too much disproportioned in strength to be able to give us any dangerous annoyance. Extensive military establishments cannot, in this position, be necessary to our security. But if we should be disunited, and the integral parts should either remain separated, or, which is most probable, should be thrown together into two or three confederacies, we should be, in a short course of time, in the predicament of the continental powers of Europe --our liberties would be a prey to the means of defending ourselves against the ambition and jealousy of each other."
-Hamilton Federalist #8 Paragraph 12

        This specific passage draws out the difference between Europe and the United States, and how we must apply some of the European ways to certain situations, but to avoid them lingering too much. In this Hamilton tells us that it is okay to have minimal military security, however, total and large amount of military power is unnecessary, maybe that's what works in Europe, but it will not work here. When military action is instilled, he notes that everyday citizen would perceive himself as a victim, having to succumb to a higher authority, thus making society prone to jealousy. Military power between states is known to cause some sort of friction when powers of authority are placed face to face at state borders.

"The powers falling within the FIRST class are those of declaring war and granting letters of marque; of providing armies and fleets; of regulating and calling forth the militia; of levying and borrowing money.

Security against foreign danger is one of the primitive objects of civil society. It is an avowed and essential object of the American Union. The powers requisite for attaining it must be effectually confided to the federal councils.

Is the power of declaring war necessary? No man will answer this question in the negative. It would be superfluous, therefore, to enter into a proof of the affirmative. The existing Confederation establishes this power in the most ample form.

Is the power of raising armies and equipping fleets necessary? This is involved in the foregoing power. It is involved in the power of self-defense." -Madison Federalist #41 

          This passage questions how much power and authority we give the Government and how much control they have over our daily lives. Madison questions whether that much power is needed, when governing so many people. To allow the Government to decide on invasions and wars and finances seems to be okay with Madison. He notes that armies and an active military can at times be dangerous, but in times of need, that same army protects the people. If the Government were not given its powers, the citizens would drive themselves into turmoil as they would lack structure. When opening this piece, Madison's approach was a little ambiguous, much like the passage I chose; it seems he would argue against Government power, but then he argues for it.