Amazingly, human nature hasn't changed much in the last 250 years. The warning is timeless rather than prescient, and we have seen many of the evils of faction in the last decade.
Posted by chuck at June 2, 2015 12:42 PM“Party is the madness of many, for the gain of a few.”
―Alexander Pope
Wow! That nails it.
Posted by David at June 2, 2015 4:12 PMIt is interesting to read essays by these "Founding Fathers".
Washington and Patrick Henry a few days ago. James Madison had things to say as well.
They all warned about the soon to be accepted Constitution and the weaknesses inherent in it.
The commonality I drew from the essays was that of: if you have good men in the offices of rule you will have good government for the people.
If you have bad men in office you will have bad government, one of power for the few and misery for the population, the People.
What to do about bad rulers is not discussed but implied is that we oust them by whatever means is necessary.
Talk and hand-wringing may not be enough; this is a case where the sword will be mightier than the pen.