Aim Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“The Convention probably foresaw what it has been a principal aim of these papers to inculcate that the danger which most threatens our political welfare is, that the state governments will finally sap the foundations of the Union.”
About This Quote
Source Document: The Federalist Papers, No. 15, 1787
Hamilton warns that if states ignore federal authority, they will weaken the national union and endanger political stability.
In simple terms: State defiance can erode the Union.
Key Takeaway
Guard federal unity.
Themes
politics
federalism
union
state rights
government
Mood
cautionary
serious
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- state-federal negotiations
- policy making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
constitutional theory
balance of power
national cohesion
Questions to Reflect On
- How can federal authority respect state autonomy?
- What mechanisms ensure a strong Union?
A Different Perspective
If states feel overruled, they may resist, causing fragmentation.
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