The campaign to discredit those who were expected to be opposed to a new system of government began in June 1787. Momentum picked up as the summer progressed as reports were circulated that the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention were working to devise an entirely new system of government. Charges against these critics ranged from being under the influence of Loyalists to charges that state officeholders feared the loss of power. Others were labeled as radicals wedded to the policies of paper money.

Below we have assembled some items that illustrate the effort to adversely portray the critics of a new constitution. When the Convention adjourned in mid-September, the critics had already been cast in a manner that would continue through the ratification debate. In 1955, Professor Cecelia M. Kenyon in a piece originally done for The William and Mary Quarterly labeled these Antifederalists, “men of little faith.”

Various Arguments Against the Constitution’s Critics

Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, 26 June 1787 (pdf) - Paper money radicals are labeled as critics.
An American, Massachusetts Centinel, 4 August 1787 (pdf) - Enemies of prosperity are labeled as critics.
Salem Mercury, 7 August 1787 (pdf) - Enemies of freedom are labeled as critics.
New Hampshire Spy, 7 August 1787 (pdf) - Enemies of freedom are labeled as critics.
Pennsylvania Gazette, 5 September 1787 (pdf) - Demagogues like Daniel Shays are labeled as critics.
Pennsylvania Gazette, 12 September 1787 (pdf) - Loyalists are labeled as critics.

The Argument that State Office Holders Were the Constitution’s Critics

This charge was especially prevalent in Pennsylvania and New York. Beginning on 21 June 1787, Alexander Hamilton anonymously launched a harsh attack against Governor George Clinton. For a brief summary of the events surrounding Hamilton’s charges, see Alexander Hamilton attacks Governor Clinton (pdf) .

Pennsylvania Gazette, 20 June 1787 (pdf)
New York Daily Advertiser, 21 June 1787 (pdf) - Hamilton's original attack on Governor Clinton.
An Admirer of Anti-Federal Men, New York Daily Advertiser, 26 July 1787 (pdf)
Pennsylvania Herald, 1 August 1787 (pdf) - Clinton is attacked in a Philadelphia newspaper.
Pennsylvania Gazette, 8 August 1787 (pdf) - A general attack on self- interested politicians.
Massachusetts Centinel, 18 August 1787 (pdf) - Clinton skewered in verse.
Rough Carver, New York Daily Advertiser, 3-4 September 1787 (pdf) - A general critique of those supportive of the Confederation system.
A Republican, New York Journal, 6 September 1787 (pdf) - An answer to Hamilton's charges.
Aristides, New York Daily Advertiser, 10 September 1787 (pdf) - A defense of Hamilton.
An Old Soldier, Lansingburgh, New York, Northern Centinel, 10 September 1787 (pdf) - A defense of Clinton.
Rusticus, New York Journal, 13 September 1787 (pdf) - Another defense of Clinton.
New York Daily Advertiser, 15 September 1787 (pdf) - Hamilton's public admission of his attack on Clinton.
Anti-Defamationis, New York Journal, 20 September 1787 (pdf) - Another defense of Clinton.
Inspector I, New York Journal, 20 September 1787 (pdf) - Hamilton lambasted for his attack on Clinton.