STATE'S SOVEREIGNTY
The Americans had just fought a war for their freedom from an unjust and tyrannical monarchy. They refused to give any more power than was necessary to the United States Government. Americans wanted the power in the hands of people. They decided that to keep their power, the central government should not have power over the individual state Governments which was explicitly stated in the Articles of Confederation. "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled"(Articles of Confederation). Many people during the early stages of the United States development agreed that the states should have more power than the national government because of their fear of a tyrant.
Many also felt that the Articles guaranteed the individual more rights than a strong national government. "Supporters of the Articles of Confederation tended to praise them for guaranteeing the sovereignty of the states and limiting the powers of the federal government. Localized state governments were best suited to meet the needs of their own constituents"(Dipalo). Dipalo explains how a person could be represented b a more local government dictating the laws in their interest rather than a centralized government.
Many also felt that the Articles guaranteed the individual more rights than a strong national government. "Supporters of the Articles of Confederation tended to praise them for guaranteeing the sovereignty of the states and limiting the powers of the federal government. Localized state governments were best suited to meet the needs of their own constituents"(Dipalo). Dipalo explains how a person could be represented b a more local government dictating the laws in their interest rather than a centralized government.
Winthrop points out in his writings that all of the states are different and have individual needs based on the inhabitants."The idle and dissolute inhabitants of the south, require a different regimen from the sober and active people of the north. Hence, among other reasons, is derived the necessity of local governments, who may enact, repeal, or alter regulations as the circumstances of each part of the empire may require"(Winthrop). Using this point he explores the differences between states and how a centralized government will only be able to govern the nation as a whole, jeopardizing the representation of the individual. Only with the states having ultimate authority can there be true legislation for the people.
Winthrop fearful for the people of the United States and their rights, sought to stop the ratification of the constitution. He and many other Americans saw congress's failure to include a Bill of Rights in the constitution as a reason to completely disregard it as an option. "The scheme of accepting the report of the Convention, and amending it afterwards, is merely delusive. There is no intention among those who make the proposition to amend it at all"(Winthrop). Here Winthrop shows how it would be simple for a centralized government to ignore the rights of the people and continue to seek its own power, he saw the ability to amend the constitution as a disguise to pass it in congress and allow them to seize a higher seat in the government.
New York judge and politician Robert Yates, under the pen name Brutus, criticized the new constitution because of his fear of a new tyrant. He claimed that because of the vastness of the united States and its population a centralized government would be tempted to ignore its people."In so extensive a republic, the great officers of government would soon become above the control of the people, and abuse their power to the purpose of aggrandizing themselves"(Brutus No.1). Yates is stating that a central government could too easily lapse from a republic into a dictatorship, due to the temptation to legislate advantages for themselves. He believes that for the time the united States was too big for the people of the United states.
Robert Yates realizes that in the present State of the American government the power lies ultimately in the people. He also pleads with the people of the United States to consider this power they have and if they are willing to give it up by allowing the Constitution to pass. "But remember, when the people once part with power, they can seldom or never resume it again but by force. Many instances can be produced in which the people have voluntarily increased the powers of their rulers; but few, if any, in which rulers have willingly abridged their authority" (Brutus No.1). Yates shows how it is too easy for a government to gain power and a population to loose power. He reminds the american people that they may be risking everything they had fought for by strengthening a centralized Government.
Robert Yates realizes that in the present State of the American government the power lies ultimately in the people. He also pleads with the people of the United States to consider this power they have and if they are willing to give it up by allowing the Constitution to pass. "But remember, when the people once part with power, they can seldom or never resume it again but by force. Many instances can be produced in which the people have voluntarily increased the powers of their rulers; but few, if any, in which rulers have willingly abridged their authority" (Brutus No.1). Yates shows how it is too easy for a government to gain power and a population to loose power. He reminds the american people that they may be risking everything they had fought for by strengthening a centralized Government.