"it is the opinion of the greatest writers, that a very extensive country cannot be governed on democratical principles, on any other plan, than a confederation of a number of small republics, possessing all the powers of internal government, but united in the management of their foreign and general concerns."
—"centinel", letter to the freemen of pennsylvania
"the utility of a confederacy, as well to suppress faction and to guard the internal tranquility of states, as to increase their external force and security, is in reality not a new idea. it has been practiced upon in different countries and ages, and has received the sanction of the most approved writers on the subject of politics. the opponents of the plan proposed have, with great assiduity, cited and circulated the observations of montesquieu on the necessity of a contracted territory for a republican government. but they seem not to have been apprised of the sentiment of that great man expressed in another part of his work, nor to have adverted to the consequences of the principle to which they subscribe with such ready acquiescence."
—alexander hamilton, the federalist no. 9
which issue is being debated in these two writings from the federalist debate?
a. the necessity for a bill of rights
b. the appropriate size of a country for a republic
c. the appropriate limits of executive power
d. the separation of powers in a federal republic