It is my first wish to see the United States assume and merit the character of _one great Nation_, whose territory is divided into different States merely for more convenient government and the more easy and prompt administration of justice,--just as our several States are divided into counties and townships for the like purposes. Until this be done, the chain which holds us together will be too feeble to bear much opposition or exertion, and we shall be daily mortified by seeing the links of it giving way and calling for repair, one after another.--JOHN JAY, _Letter to John Lowell, May 10, 1785_: Life, by William Jay, Vol. I. p. 190. * * * * * He took this occasion to repeat, that, notwithstanding his solicitude to establish a National Government, he never would agree to abolish the State Governments or render them absolutely insignificant. They were as necessary as the General Government, and he would be equally careful to preserve them.--GEORGE MASON, _Speech in the Constitutional Convention, June 20, 1787_: Debates, Madison Papers, Vol. II. pp. 914, 915. * * * * * Whether the Constitution be good or bad, the present clause clearly discovers that it is a National Government, and no longer a Confederation: I mean that clause which gives the first hint of the General Government laying direct taxes.--GEORGE MASON, _Speech in the Virginia Convention to ratify the Constitution, June 4, 1788_: Elliot’s Debates, (2d edit.,) Vol. III. p. 29. * * * * * The Declaration of Independence having provided for the _national_ character and the _national_ powers, it remained in some mode to provide for the character and powers of the States individually, as a consequence of the dissolution of the colonial system. Accordingly the people of each State set themselves to work, under a recommendation from Congress, to erect a local government for themselves; but in no instance did the people of any State attempt to incorporate into their local system any of those attributes of national authority which the Declaration of Independence had asserted in favor of the United States.--ALEXANDER JAMES DALLAS, _Argument in the Case of Michael Bright and others, in the Circuit Court of the United States, April 28, 1809_: Life and Writings, p. 104. * * * * * Hence, while the sovereignty resides inherently and inalienably in the people, it is a perversion of language to denominate the State, as a body politic or government, sovereign and independent.--_Ibid._, p. 100. * * * * *