John Dickinson, a non-signing—due to ill-health—Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, using the pseudonym “Fabius” publishes a pro-federalist essay urging ratification of the proposed Constitution for the united States, appealing to people’s sense of self-sacrifice. In paragraphs 4, 7, 9, 10 and 11 he writes:
As in forming a political society, each individual contributes some of his rights, in order that he may, form a common stock of rights, derive greater benefits, than he could from merely his own; so, in forming a confederation, each political society should contribute such a share of their rights, as will, from a common stock of these rights, produce the largest quantity of benefits for them.
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Humility and benevolence must take place of pride and overweening selfishness. … [W]e cannot be true to ourselves, without being true to others–that to love our neighbours as ourselves, is to love ourselves in the best manner–that to give, is to gain–and, that we never consult our own happiness more effectually, than when we most endeavour to correspond with the divine designs, by communicating happiness, as much as we can, to our fellow-creatures. Inestimable truth! …
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We may with reverence say, that our Creator designed men for society, because otherwise they cannot be happy. They cannot be happy without freedom; nor free without security; that is, without the absence of fear; nor thus secure, without society. The conclusion is strictly syllogistic–that men cannot be free without society. Of course, they cannot be equally free without society, which freedom produces the greatest happiness.
[E]very individual must contribute to the common stock of rights in forming a society, for obtaining equal freedom, we determine at the same time, what share of their rights each political society must contribute to the common stock or rights in forming a confederations. …
Each individual then must contribute such a share of his rights, as is necessary for attaining that security that is essential to freedom; and he is bound to make this contribution by the law of his nature, which prompts him to a participated happiness; that is, by the command of his creator; therefore, he must submit his will, in what concerns all, to the will of all, that is of the whole society. … [emphasis in the original]
[added 7/31/2026]
Subsequent Events:
Authority:
Articles of Confederation, Article XIII
ccc-2point0.com/Articles-of-Confederation
References:
John Dickinson, “Observations on the Constitution Proposed by the Federal Convention,” from The Debate on the Constitution, two volumes, Bernard Bailyn, ed., (New York: Library of America, 1992), 2:408-13.
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