PUBLIUS
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FEDERALIST No. 63
The Senate Continued
For the Independent Journal.
Saturday, March 1, 1788
MADISON
To the People of the State of New York:
A FIFTH desideratum, illustrating the utility of a senate, is the want
of a due sense of national character. Without a select and stable member
of the government, the esteem of foreign powers will not only be
forfeited by an unenlightened and variable policy, proceeding from the
causes already mentioned, but the national councils will not possess
that sensibility to the opinion of the world, which is perhaps not less
necessary in order to merit, than it is to obtain, its respect and
confidence.
An attention to the judgment of other nations is important to every
government for two reasons: the one is, that, independently of the
merits of any particular plan or measure, it is desirable, on various
accounts, that it should appear to other nations as the offspring of a
wise and honorable policy; the second is, that in doubtful cases,
particularly where the national councils may be warped by some strong
passion or momentary interest, the presumed or known opinion of the
impartial world may be the best guide that can be followed.
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