The Federalist, Or, the New Constitution (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ... to the public. 6. "To guarantee to every State in the Union a republican form of government; to protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), against domestic violence/' In a confederacy founded on republican principles, and composed of republican members, the superintending government ought clfilyto_possess authorityjo_defend the system against aristocratic or monarchical '"""va.tions The more intimate the_Qature of such a union may be, the greater interest-have-thf- members in the political institutions of each otheri_and_jJie greater right to insist that the" forms of government under which the compact was entered into should be substantially maintained. But a right implies a remedy; and where else could theremedy be deposited fhaiT where it is deposited by the Constitution? Governments of dissimilar principles and forms have been found less adapted to a federal coalition of any sort than those of a kindred nature. "As the confederate republic__of Germany/' says Montesquieu, " consists of free cities and petty states, subject to different princes, experience shows us that it is more imperfect than that of Holland and Switzerland." "Greece was undone," he adds, " as soon as the king of Macedon obtained a seat among the Amphictyons." In the latter case, no doubt, the disproportionate force, as well as the monarchical form, of the new confederate, had its share of influence on the events. It may possibly beasked, what need Jbere could be of such a precaution, and whether it may not become a pretexTfor alterations in the State governments, without the concurrence of the States themselves. These quest...