V.at the end of the volume.] [Sidenote: Progress of parties.] The judgment is so much influenced by the wishes, the affections, and the general theories of those by whom any political proposition is decided, that a contrariety of opinion on this great constitutional question ought to excite no surprise.

It must be recollected that the conflict between the powers of the general and state governments was coeval with those governments.

Even during the war, the preponderance of the states was obvious; and, in a very few years after peace, the struggle ended in the utter abasement of the general government.

Many causes concurred to produce a constitution which was deemed more competent to the preservation of the union, but its adoption was opposed by great numbers; and in some of the large states especially, its enemies soon felt and manifested their superiority.

The old line of division was still as strongly marked as ever.