subsistent federal government, you are called upon to deliberate on the new constitution for the united stat oamerica. the subject speaks its own importan. comprehended in its consequences nothing less then the existence of that union. what was alexander hamilton saying there? >> that is the opening salvo of the federalist. it goes on to say it seems to have been reserved to the people of the country to decide the important question whether society is a minor capable of establishing good government or whether they are forever destined on accident and force. think about that. what he is saying essentially is free government has never worked. in the history of the world, there are momentary rains of glory that break forth from the gloom and while they dazzle us with fleeting brilliance, popular government is a history of failure. we have the chance hamilton is saying to do it right. to show that all people is really capable of governing themselves. that is what the american project was about. the federalist papers starts out by saying so. >> judge, structuring society in a sense. >> yes, i think in you