The frame of mind in the local legislatures seems to be exerted to prevent the federal constitution from having any good effect.
Every friend to the liberty of his country is bound to reflect, and step forward to prevent the dreadful consequences which shall result from a government of events.
They wish for a general government of unity, as they see that the local legislatures must naturally and necessarily tend to retard the general government.
The powers of Congress are totally inadequate to preserve the balance between the respective States, and oblige them to do those things which are essential for their own welfare or for the general good.
We imagined that the mildness of our government and the wishes of the people were so correspondent that we were not as other nations, requiring brutal force to support the laws.
Something is wanting, and something must be done, or we shall be involved in all the horror of failure, and civil war without a prospect of its termination.