From the circumstances already explained, and many others which might be mentioned, results a complicated, irresistible check, which must ever support the existence and importance of the State governments.  The danger, if any exists, flows from an opposite source.  The probable evil is, that the general government will be too dependent on the State Legislatures, too much governed by their prejudices, and too obsequious to their humors; that the States, with every power in their hands, will make encroachments on the national authority, till the Union is weakened and dissolved.

Every member must have been struck with an observation of a gentleman from Albany.  Do what you will, says he, local prejudices and opinions will go into the government.

What! shall we then form a constitution to cherish and strengthen these prejudices?  Shall we confirm the distemper, instead of remedying it.  It is undeniable that there must be a control somewhere.  Either the general interest is to control the particular interests, or the contrary.  If the former, then certainly the government ought to be so framed, as to render the power of control efficient to all intents and purposes; if the latter, a striking absurdity follows; the controlling powers must be as numerous as the varying interests, and the operations of the government must therefore cease; for the moment you accommodate these different interests, which is the only way to set the government in motion, you establish a controlling power.  Thus, whatever constitutional provisions are made to the contrary, every government will be at last driven to the necessity of subjecting the partial to the universal interest.  The gentlemen ought always, in their reasoning, to distinguish between the real, genuine good of a State, and the opinions and prejudices which may prevail respecting it; the latter may be opposed to the general good, and consequently ought to be sacrificed; the former is so involved in it, that it never can be sacrificed.

There are certain social principles in human nature from which we may draw the most solid conclusions with respect to the conduct of individuals and of communities.  We love our families more than our neighbors; we love our neighbors more than our countrymen in general.  The human affections, like the solar heat, lose their intensity as they depart from the centre, and become languid in proportion to the expansion of the circle on which they act.  On these principles, the attachment of the individual will be first and forever secured by the State governments; they will be a mutual protection and support.  Another source of influence, which has already been pointed out, is the various official connections in the States.  Gentlemen endeavor to evade the force of this by saying that these offices will be insignificant.  This is by no means true.  The State officers will ever be important, because they are necessary and useful.  Their powers are such as are extremely interesting