Alexander Hamilton, John C. Calhoun, Justice John Mclean

[♦ nivek ♦]

"It may safely be received as an axiom in our political system, that

the state governments will in all possible contingencies afford complete

security against invasions of the public liberty by the national authority."

-- Alexander Hamilton

(1757-1804)

Source: Federalist # 28

http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/A...lton.Quote.D930

 

 

"It is federal, because it is the government of States united in a political union, in contradistinction to a government of individuals, that is, by what is usually called, a social compact. To express it more concisely, it is federal and not national because it is the government of a community of States, and not the government of a single State or Nation."

-- John C. Calhoun

(1782-1850) American statesman

Source: 1850, John C. Calhoun's essay entitled A Discourse on the Constitution and Government of the United States

http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/J...houn.Quote.2065

 

 

"That distinct sovereignties could exist under one government, emanating from

the same people, was a phenomenon in the political world, which the wisest

statesmen in Europe could not comprehend; and of its practicability many in our

own country entertained the most serious doubts. Thus far the friends of

liberty have had great cause of triumph in the success of the principles upon

which our government rests. But all must admit that the purity and permanency

of this system depend on its faithful administration. The states and the

federal government have their respective orbits, within which each must

revolve. If either cross the sphere of the other, the harmony of the system is

destroyed, and its strength is impaired. It would be as gross usurpation on the

part of the federal government, to interfere with state rights, by an exercise

of powers not delegated; as it would be for a state to interpose its authority

against a law of the union."

-- Justice John McLean

(1785-1861) U.S. Congressman for Ohio (1813-16), U.S. Postmaster General, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1830-61), presidential candidate for the Whig and Republican parties

Source: Craig v. Missouri, 4 Peters 410 (1830) [29 U.S. 410, 464]

http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/J...Lean.Quote.6076