Publius says that the states must make a firm stand for their tranquility, dignity, and reputation by creating a new government with a more energetic executive.

Punishment of individuals, not states, is necessary because "regard for reputation has a less active influence when the infamy of a bad action is to be divided among a number than when it is to fall singly upon one."

This "national disorder, poverty and insignificance" led to Hamilton urging the citizens of the United States to stand up for their safety, tranquility, dignity, and reputation while also attacking those who support the Articles of Confederation.

Hamilton claimed the supporters of confederation stood in the way of progress by opposing the ideas of the federalists without providing any plausible options of their own as they were too concerned with making any major changes.

In Hamilton's opinion, the biggest problem in the government was the principle of legislation for states in a collective manner which created multiple sovereigns.

For Hamilton, the government was created because the endeavors of men do not conform to the "dictates of reason and justice" and groups of men act less carefully than those acting alone: "Regard to reputation," Hamilton writes, "has a less active influence, when the infamy of a bad action is to be divided among a number than when it is to fall singly upon one."

The Constitution, which Hamilton, Jay and Madison were defending, and the Articles of Confederation, distributed power and wealth differently, meaning certain groups of people would be either hurt or benefited by the changes.