Which statement about the federal government most accurately reflects the point of view of the author of Passage ? A The current form of government has been in place for too long and increased consolidation is long overdue .
B The proposed changes would bring about more negative consequences than maintaining the current form of government would
C. A well - functioning confederation is impossible because independent states will never agree on policies . more questions
D. The uniform system of laws proposed by a federal government will help unite the country as one nation

Our object has been all along, to reform our federal
system, and to strengthen our governments, but a new
object now presents. The plan of government now proposed
is evidently calculated totally to change, in time, our
5 condition as a people. Instead of being thirteen republics,
under a federal head, it is clearly designed to make us one
consolidated government. Whether such a change can ever
be effected in any manner; whether it can be effected
without convulsions and civil wars; whether such a change
10 will not totally destroy the liberties of this country--time
only can determine.
The confederation was formed when great confidence
was placed in the voluntary exertions of individuals, and of
the respective states; and the framers of it, to guard
find, therefore, members of congress urging alterations in
the federal system almost as soon as it was adopted. The
first interesting question is how far the states can be
consolidated into one entire government on free principles.
20 The happiness of the people at large must be the great
object with every honest statesman, and he will direct
every movement to this point. If we are so situated as a
people, as not to be able to enjoy equal happiness and
advantages under one government, the consolidation of the
25 states cannot be admitted.
Touching the federal plan, I do not think much can be
said in its favor: The sovereignty of the nation, without
coercive and efficient powers to collect the strength of it,
cannot always be depended on to answer the purposes of
30 government; and in a congress of representatives of
sovereign states, there must necessarily be an unreasonable
mixture of powers in the same hands.
Independent of the opinions of many great authors, that
a free elective government cannot be extended over large
35 territories, a few reflections must evince, that one
government and general legislation alone, never can extend
equal benefits to all parts of the United States: Different
which by a uniform system of laws would be unreasonably
40 invaded. The United States contain about a million of
square miles, and in half a century will, probably, contain
ten millions of people.