States Quotes

11619 States quotes by 5153 unique authors

The true test is, whether the object be of a local character, and local use; or, whether it be of general benefit to the states.… — Joseph Story
The proposed Constitution, so far from implying an abolition of the State governments, makes them constituent parts of the national sovereignty, by allowing them a… — Alexander Hamilton
There is one transcendant advantage belonging to the province of the State governments . . . -I mean the ordinary administration of criminal and civil… — Alexander Hamilton
Each State, in ratifying the Constitution, is considered as a sovereign body, independent of all others, and only to be bound by its own voluntary… — James Madison
But ambitious encroachments of the federal government, on the authority of the State governments, would not excite the opposition of a single State, or of… — James Madison
I wish not to be regarded as an advocate for the particular organizations of the several state governments . . . they carry strong marks… — James Madison
The public affairs of the union are spread throughout a very extensive region, and are extremely diversified by the local affairs connected with them, and… — James Madison
I am unable to conceive that the state legislatures which must feel so many motives to watch, and which possess so many means of counteracting… — James Madison
The appointment of senators by the state legislatures . . . is recommended by the double advantage of favoring a select appointment, and of giving… — James Madison
It is superfluous to try by the standards of theory, a part of the constitution which is allowed on all hands to be the result… — James Madison
Another advantage accruing from this ingredient in the constitution of a senate, is the additional impediment it must prove against improper acts of legislation. No… — James Madison
That useful alterations will be suggested by experience, could not but be foreseen . . . . It moreover equally enables the general and state… — James Madison
I confess I am at a loss to discover what temptation the persons entrusted with the administration of the general government could ever feel to… — Alexander Hamilton
The administration of private justice between the citizens of the same state, the supervision of agriculture and of other concerns of a similar nature, all… — 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… — Alexander Hamilton
It will be well to advert to the proportion between the objects that will require a federal provision in respect to revenue; and those which… — Alexander Hamilton
Nothing can be more evident, than that an exclusive power of regulating elections for the National Government, in the hands of the State Legislatures, would… — Alexander Hamilton
The scheme of separate confederacies, which will always multiply the chances of ambition, will be a never failing bait to all such influential characters in… — Alexander Hamilton
The power of the people pervading the proposed system, together with the strong confederation of the states, will form an adequate security against every danger… — John Dickinson
In this relation, then, the proposed government cannot be deemed a national one; since its jurisdiction extends to certain enumerated objects only, and leaves to… — James Madison
We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent… — Thomas Jefferson
Houses of Congress have . . . requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer,… — George Washington
[M]y fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe; who presides in the councils of nations; and whose providential aid can supply… — George Washington
There is not a more important and fundamental principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the public engagements; that… — James Madison
If the maintenance of public credit, then, be truly important, the next enquiry which suggests itself is, by what means it is to be effected?… — Alexander Hamilton

Who Wrote These States Quotes

5,153 authors contributed a total of 11,619 States Quotes, led by these top contributors: