We Still Hold These Truths

Foreword By William J. Bennett

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Alexander Hamilton - It is certainly true

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Alexander Hamilton The Federalist Papers Federalist No. 59

Categories: Federalism

Date: February 22, 1788

It is certainly true, that the State Legislatures, by forbearing the appointment of Senators, may destroy the National Government. But it will not follow, that because they have the power to do this in one instance, they ought to have it in every other . . . . So far as that construction may expose the Union to the possibility of injury from the State Legislatures, it is an evil; but it is an evil, which could not have been avoided without excluding the States, in their political capacities, wholly from a place in the organization of the National Government. If this had been done, it would doubtless have been interpreted into an entire dereliction of the federal principle; and would certainly have deprived the State governments of that absolute safe-guard, which they will enjoy under this provision.

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