There is one transcendant advantage belonging to the province of the State governments . . . -I mean the ordinary administration of criminal and civil justice.
Interpretation
Hamilton emphasizes the superiority of state governments in administering justice over federal control.
In this quote, Alexander Hamilton asserts that state governments hold a unique advantage in managing everyday legal matters, such as criminal and civil justice. He suggests that the closer proximity of state governance to the people allows for a more effective and responsive administration of justice, distinguishing it from the federal government's role.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the importance of state vs. federal rights.
When men, engaged in unjustifiable pursuits, are aware that obstructions may come from a quarter which bare apprehension of opposition from doing what they would with eagerness rush into if no such external impediments were to be feared.
The tendency of a national bank is to increase public and private credit. The former gives power to the state, for the protection of its rights and interests: and the latter facilitates and extends the operations of commerce among individuals. Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state.
It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.
The Achaeans soon experienced, as often happens, that a victorious and powerful ally is but another name for a master.
The people are turbulent and changing; they seldom judge right or make good decision.
The true principle of a republic is that the people should choose whom they please to govern them. Representation is imperfect, in proportion as the current of popular favor is checked. The great source of free government, popular election, should be perfectly pure, and the most unbounded liberty allowed.
It is time to stop personal destruction and prying into private lives
The dangers of unexamined and unregulated monopoly power, particularly in the state executive, are hardly news. The right reaction is not passive acquiescence.
Those who are politically apathetic can only survive if they are supported by people who are capable of taking action.
Your Constitution is all sail and no anchor.
Nothing is more false than the notion that the triumph of Communism is inevitable or that the Communists are steadily pushing the free world into a corner.
I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it.
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