Question

Excerpt from a Speech by George Mason

Does any man suppose, that one general National Government can exist in so extensive a country as this? I hope that a Government may be framed which may suit us, by drawing the line between the general and State Governments, and prevent that dangerous clashing of interest and power, which must, as it now stands, terminate in the destruction of one or the other. When we come to the Judiciary, we shall be more convinced, that this Government will terminate in the annihilation of the State Governments: The question then will be, whether a consolidated Government can preserve the freedom, and secure the great rights of the people.

—George Mason, 1788

Question
Use the passage to answer the question.

(2 points)
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Answer 1

Mason warns that a single, consolidated national government over so large a country will “terminate in the annihilation of the State Governments” and thus threaten the freedom and rights of the people; he argues power must be divided between national and state governments.