Page:Federalist, Dawson edition, 1863.djvu/469



[From the New York Packet, Tuesday, January 29, 1788.]

THE FŒDERALIST. No. XLV.



ESUMING the subject of the last paper, I proceed to inquire whether the Fœderal Government or the State Governments will have the advantage with regard to the predilection and support of the People. Notwithstanding the different modes in which they are appointed, we must consider both of them as substantially dependent on the great body of the citizens of the United States. I assume this position here as it respects the first, reserving the proofs for another place. The Fœderal and State Governments are in fact but different agents and trustees of the People, constituted with different powers, and designated for different purposes. The adversaries of the Constitution seem to have lost sight of the People altogether, in their reasonings on this subject; and to have viewed these different establishments, not only as mutual rivals and enemies, but as uncontrolled by any common superior, in their efforts to usurp the authorities of each other. These gentlemen must here be reminded of their error. They must be told, that the ultimate authority, wherever the derivative may be found, resides in the People alone; and that it will not depend merely on the comparative ambition or address of the different Governments, whether either, or which of them, will be able to enlarge its sphere of jurisdiction at the expense of the other. Truth, no less than decency, requires, that the event in every case should be supposed to depend on the sentiments and sanction of their common constituents.