In previous papers Madison labored to convince his readers that the system proposed by the constitution would lead to stable and energetic government.

Madison does not expect or hope the constitution to lead to the kind of conflict between state and federal authority described here.

Madison reminds his audience that the American people are the common superior of both the federal and state governments.

This separation was the original design for the U.S. government but over time as its responsibilities remained virtually the same, its interactions increased.

Once it became time to begin creating new republics, the people feared going back to the monarchy they once lived under by Great Britain.

The people themselves, in conjunction with state cooperation, seen as a more likely alliance than the people allying with the federal government vs. a rogue state, in order to protect themselves from the hostile foreign governments overpowering them with the threat of their standing army; like Great Britain did when King George III sent his battalion to America.

To these would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen from among themselves, fighting for their common liberties, and united and conducted by governments possessing their affections and confidence.

Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

But were the people to possess the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, who could collect the national will and direct the national force, and of officers appointed out of the militia, by these governments, and attached both to them and to the militia, it may be affirmed with the greatest assurance, that the throne of every tyranny in Europe would be speedily overturned in spite of the legions which surround it.