How do states' rights relate to Franklin Pierce's view of federal power?
The Constitution is, in essence, a compact between sovereign states. The powers granted to the federal government are specific and limited; all others are reserved to the states or the people. This division is not a weakness, but the very strength of our republic, ensuring that the government remains close to the citizenry and respects local autonomy. To expand federal authority beyond its enumerated bounds is to undermine the foundations of our liberty and the delicate balance the Founders so painstakingly established for the perpetual Union.
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