“Unlocking Humanity: The Surprising Secret Behind What Makes Us Truly Human”
That very same day, Morris would argue, as Adams had, that there “never was, nor ever will be a civilized society without an aristocracy” even if many didn’t quite like the term. And that, as Adams had written, the “endeavor was to keep it as much as possible from doing mischief,” in this case Morris arguing by putting them in their own assembly. But yet again, this group, for all its benefits as a group of distinguished individuals, must be feared, lest, “With all the subtlety and all the sagacity and address which is characteristic of this order of men in every age and nation,” they would, over time slowly gather all governing power to themselves.
When arguing against the proposed New Jersey plan in favor of a version of the Virginia Plan (which would more mirror John Adams’ ideas- more on this in a bit), Wilson would also mirror Adams’ supposition that “If the Legislative authority be not restrained, there can be neither liberty nor stability; and it can only be restrained by dividing it within itself, into distinct and independent branches.”
Or as Alexander Hamilton would sum up on June 18, 1787, “Give all power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all power to [the] few they will oppress the many.”
Speaking of Hamilton, when it came to the Committee of Style and Arrangement, the five member committee comprising Morris, Hamilton, and Madison had all frequently referenced Adam’s arguments, and the two remaining members in Kin and Johnson were also known to have purchased copies of the book to study during the debates.
