 Alexander Hamilton, author of Federalist No. 25 | |
| Author | Alexander Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Same Subject Continued: The Powers Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Federalist |
| Publisher | New York Packet |
Publication date | December 21, 1787 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Newspaper |
| Preceded by | Federalist No. 24 |
| Followed by | Federalist No. 26 |
| Text | Federalist No. 25 at Wikisource |
Federalist No. 25, titled "The Same Subject Continued: The Powers Necessary to the Common Defense Further Considered", is a political essay written by Alexander Hamilton and the twenty-fifth of The Federalist Papers. It was first published in New York newspapers on December 21, 1787, under the pseudonym Publius, the name under which all The Federalist Papers were published. It is one of two essays by Hamilton arguing in favor of a national standing army during peacetime, along with Federalist No. 24.
Federalist No. 25 was written as an argument against the use of armies led by the states. Hamilton argued that a national army would be more accountable than state armies, as national control would be divided through separation of powers and serve in the interest of all states. He warned that individual state armies might not come to the aid of other states and that states might use their armies against the interest of the nation. Hamilton also used Federalist No. 25 to argue that standing armies are preferable to militias and that constitutional restrictions may be ignored if they are against the interest of the nation.