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Basic Constitutional Concepts
accomplishment of the secret wishes of an unjust and interested majority? Here again the extent of the Union gives it the most palpable advantage.
The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through
the other States. A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in
a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national Councils against any danger from
that source. A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an
equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project,
will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular
member of it, in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to
taint a particular county or district than an entire State.
In the extent and proper structure of the Union, therefore, we behold
a Republican remedy for the diseases most incident to Republican Government. And according to the degree of pleasure and pride we feel in
being Republicans ought to be our zeal in cherishing the spirit, and supporting the character of federalists.
publius.