They both wanted a government which would secure them freedom of action for this purpose.

The difference between them was really less a difference of purpose than of the means whereby a purpose should be accomplished.

The Federalists, representing as they did chiefly the people of wealth and education, demanded a government adequate to protect existing propertied rights; but they were not seeking any exceptional privileges--except those traditionally associated with the ownership of private property.

The anti-Federalists, on the other hand, having less to protect and more to acquire, insisted rather upon being let alone than in being protected.

They expressed themselves sometimes in such an extremely insubordinate manner as almost to threaten social disorder, but were very far from being fundamentally anti-social in interest or opinion.