COMMENTARIES, 5-6 DECEMBER 1787

Cato tells us that the Government of small States will be more mild
and also more vigorous than that of larger ones. But if it is true that
small States ever have been, and from the nature of man ever must be
the nurseries of parties, factions, discord, discontent, wild uproar, and
seditious tumults; this observation of his must manifestly be erroneous.
The characteristics of a mild Government are Liberty without Licen-
tiousness, and Government without Tyranny; of a vigorous one, unanim-
ity, consistency, and uniformity in its councils.
We are told that extent of territory, variety of climates, productions
and commerce, difference of extent, and number of inhabitants, dis-
similitude of interests, morals and politics, will render this consolidated
Republican form of Government impracticable. But what is the drift
and tendency of this mode of argumentation? It evidently militates with
equal force against every species of general Government-call it by
what name you will, whether Consolidation or Confederation, it matters
not, all must be equally impracticable. Nay! this mode of argumentation
leads immediately to consequences which I cannot suppose Cato could
have had in contemplation. If diversity of interest arising from various
contingencies, such as climate, productions, commerce, morals, poli-
tics, &c. &c. form invariable bars against the due exercise of the powers
of Government; then, I say there is an end of every thing.
For, if the infinite number and variety of distinct and jarring inter-
ests, which necessarily prevail among the individuals of a society in a
state of civilization cannot be controled and reconciled by the energetic
exertions of the powers of Government, we must then relinquish all
our ideas of the efficiency of Government as mere chimeras. The very
end, purpose and design of all Government is to prevent the destruc-
tive effects of these clashing interests on the peace, security and hap-
piness of society. Strange mode of argumentation! that the very circum-
stances which require and call aloud for all the energy of such an
efficient Government as this constitution has delineated, should, by an
unaccountable perversity of all the rules of just reasoning, be urged as
an argument against the Constitution itself.
We are told that the strongest principle of Union exists between the
members of the same family. The next general principle of Union is
amongst citizens of the same state; but when we still enlarge the circle
so as to comprehend the citizens of other States, affection and attach-
ment are lost.-"Is it therefore, from certainty like this, reasonable to
believe the inhabitants of Georgia or New-Hampshire will have the
same obligations towards you as your own, and preside over your lives,
liberties and property with the same care and attachment?" It is by no

357