To the editor:

In the 1780s, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay wrote a series of treatises (some 85 “Federalist Papers”) attempting to persuade, principally, New York and Virginia to ratify the newly created Constitution proposing a Federation of States (federal government) in the manner of a republic (representative of the will of the people). There may not exist a more thorough consideration of our then-imagined government.

In the first such paper, authored by Hamilton, the following remarks are timely and timeless. A voice from almost 240 years ago warns us that someone utterly self-serving is going to show up sooner or later: “…a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government. History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.”

Very few politicians, though busy courting the people, are likely tyrants. The next indicated thing is to take a good look at the content of character.

Jack Klinknett,

Lawrence