Answer:
Hamilton argued that the constitution was not and should not be a document protecting the rights of individuals. Hamilton claims that if the bill of rights is included, the constitution could be misinterpreted as the only rights that individuals posed. Hamilton also suggests that a bill of rights would give the government more power and not less, after all, why forbid the government from undertaking a certain action unless that government has the power to do so? This sentiment is expressed in the following excerpt, were Hamilton lays out some of the dangerous he believes may arise from the inclusion of a bill of rights in the constitution: "They (The Bill of Rights) would contain various exceptions to powers which are not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do? Why for instance, should it be said, that the liberty of the press shall not be restrained, when no power is given by which restrictions may be imposed?". Hamilton also argues that the entire constitution is itself a bill of rights, and so the addition of a bill of rights is unnecessary, as seen here; "... the constitution is itself in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS. The several bills of rights, in Great-Britain, form its constitution, and conversely, the constitution of each state is its bill of rights. And the proposed constitution, if adopted, will be the bill of rights of the union." The author of Brutus II disagrees with Hamilton, believing that the foundation of the United States should protect and guarantee the rights of its citizens. The author believed that enshrining civil rights in the constitution was vital for the success of the nation. Considering historical context, including the outcome of the debate, the argument presented in Brutus II appears stronger, as it garnered more supported and made its way into the constitution, most definitely impacting the course of US history and the lives of US citizens today.
