The delegates to the Constitutional Convention wrangled over every detail of the new government, but they all agreed that “every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue and corruption.”

These “deadly adversaries of republican government” could come from many sources, wrote Alexander Hamilton in the Federalist Papers, “but chiefly from the desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils.” What better way to achieve this, he wrote, “than by raising a creature of their own to the chief magistracy of the union.”

Hamilton’s words are as relevant today as they were in 1788 and should give citizens pause before voting for Donald Trump, who has praised Vladimir Putin’s autocratic leadership, supported Russian aggression in Crimea and urged Russia to become involved in American politics by hacking the Democrats’ email.

John Turner

South Bristol