The Anti-Federalist papers were a series of papers edited by the ones that opposed the Constitution. They were not as widely read as The Federalist papers. They argued that the Federalism defended by Madison, Hamilton and Jay created a strong central government that could turn into tyranny and that this government would not respect personal rights. The Anti-Federalists were the ones responsible for the creation of the Bill of Rights.
The assassin of President Garfield was a disgruntled office seeker. Arthur believed the Pendleton Act's merit system would prevent similar retaliations by unqualified spoils system applicants.
