Jose Nino has a good article about several southern Anti-Federalists who were among those during the Founding and the early days of the Republic who warned about the Constitution leaving open a pathway for those who would increase the power and size of the federal government at the expense of the states.
He discusses Patrick Henry, George Mason, South Carolina’s Rawlins Lowndes and one person from North Carolina:
The Anti-Federalist current ran just as strongly through North Carolina, where it found a leader of comparable resolve. Willie Jones led the Anti-Federalist faction at the 1788 North Carolina ratifying convention at Hillsborough, where he successfully refused ratification without a prior Bill of Rights. He criticized the Constitution as “an instrument of centralization and an encroachment of community rule.” Jones argued that only the states, not the federal government, should hold the power to tax and control elections.
Of course, these men were absolutely right. Isn’t it strange how we never hear about Willie Jones here in North Carolina and his concerns about a large, centralized government?
These are stories that are never told. I wonder why.
It, as you say TC, is indeed puzzling.
There is a systematic effort to “black hole” certain elements of history, Fred.