Back to Book

The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison

3. "The Senators and Representatives, and the members of the several

184 words  |  Chapter 34

State legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and the several States, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution." It has been asked why it was thought necessary, that the State magistracy should be bound to support the federal Constitution, and unnecessary that a like oath should be imposed on the officers of the United States, in favor of the State constitutions. Several reasons might be assigned for the distinction. I content myself with one, which is obvious and conclusive. The members of the federal government will have no agency in carrying the State constitutions into effect. The members and officers of the State governments, on the contrary, will have an essential agency in giving effect to the federal Constitution. The election of the President and Senate will depend, in all cases, on the legislatures of the several States. And the election of the House of Representatives will equally depend on the same authority in the first instance; and will, probably, forever be conducted by the officers, and according to the laws, of the States.
Previous Chapter Chapter List Next Chapter

Chapters

1. Chapter 1 2. 1. The same idea, tracing the arguments to their consequences, is held 3. 4. Ibid. Phidias was supposed to have stolen some public gold, with the 4. 9. The League of Cambray, comprehending the Emperor, the King of France, 5. 11. Vide "Principes des Negociations" par l'Abbé de Mably. 6. 2. In order that the whole subject of these papers may as soon as 7. introduction. The art of fortification has contributed to the same ends. 8. 1. This objection will be fully examined in its proper place, and it 9. 1. "Spirit of Laws," vol. i., book ix., chap. i. 10. 1. If my memory be right they amount to twenty per cent. 11. 1. "I mean for the Union." 12. 1. This was but another name more specious for the independence of the 13. 1. Pfeffel, "Nouvel Abrég. Chronol. de l'Hist., etc., d'Allemagne," says 14. 1. This, as nearly as I can recollect, was the sense of his speech on 15. 3. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, South 16. 4. Add New York and Connecticut to the foregoing seven, and they will be 17. 1. The sophistry which has been employed to show that this will tend 18. 1. Its full efficacy will be examined hereafter. 19. 1. The New England States. 20. 2. Declaration of Independence. 21. 1. A power "to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by 22. 2. "To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over 23. 3. "To declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason 24. 4. "To admit new States into the Union; but no new State shall be formed 25. 5. "To dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting 26. 6. "To guarantee to every State in the Union a republican form of 27. 7. "To consider all debts contracted, and engagements entered into, 28. 8. "To provide for amendments to be ratified by three fourths of the 29. 9. "The ratification of the conventions of nine States shall be 30. 1. "No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; 31. 2. "No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts 32. 1. Of these the first is, the "power to make all laws which shall be 33. 2. "This Constitution and the laws of the United States which shall 34. 3. "The Senators and Representatives, and the members of the several 35. 4. Among the provisions for giving efficacy to the federal powers might

Reading Tips

Use arrow keys to navigate

Press 'N' for next chapter

Press 'P' for previous chapter