But it is urged, that its consolidated nature, joined to the power of direct taxation, will give it a tendency to destroy all subordinate authority; that its increasing influence will speedily enable it to absorb the State governments.  I cannot bring myself to think that this will be the case.  If the general government were wholly independent of the governments of the particular States, then indeed, usurpation might be expected to the fullest extent:  but, sir, on whom does this general government depend?  It derives its authority from these governments, and from the same sources from which their authority is derived.  The members of the federal government are taken from the same men from whom those of the State legislatures are taken.  If we consider the mode in which the federal representatives will be chosen, we shall be convinced, that the general never will destroy the individual governments; and this conviction must be strengthened by an attention to the construction of the Senate.  The representatives will be chosen, probably under the influence of the State legislatures:  but there is not the least probability that the election of the latter will be influenced by the former.  One hundred and sixty members representing this commonwealth in one branch of the legislature, are drawn from the people at large, and must ever possess more influence than the few men who will be elected to the general legislature.  Those who wish to become federal representatives, must depend on their credit with that class of men who will be the most popular in their counties, who generally represent the people in the State governments:  they can, therefore, never succeed in any measure contrary to the wishes of those on whom they depend.  So that, on the whole, it is almost certain that the deliberations of the members of the federal House of Representatives will be directed to the interests of the people of America.  As to the other branch, the Senators will be appointed by the legislatures, and, though elected for six years, I do not conceive they will so soon forget the source whence they derive their political existence.  This election of one branch of the federal, by the State legislatures, secures an absolute independence of the former on the latter.  The biennial exclusion of one third will lessen the facility of a combination, and preclude all likelihood of intrigues.  I appeal to our past experience, whether they will attend to the interests of their constituent States.  Have not those gentlemen who have been honored with seats in Congress often signalized themselves by their attachment to their States?  Sir, I pledge myself that this government will answer the expectations of its friends, and foil the apprehensions of its enemies.  I am persuaded that the patriotism of the people will continue, and be a sufficient guard to their liberties, and that the tendency of the Constitution will be, that the State governments will counteract the general interest, and ultimately prevail.  The number of the representatives is yet sufficient for our safety, and will gradually increase; and if we consider their different sources of information, the number will not appear too small.